India finished the opening day of their one-off Test against Afghanistan at 368 for 3, powered by unbeaten centuries from KL Rahul and Shubman Gill.
Rahul was not out on 100 at stumps, while Gill remained unbeaten on 103 as the pair guided India through the final session after Afghanistan struck twice earlier in the day.
Afghanistan’s bowlers claimed three wickets on the first day, with Mohammad Saleem Safi leading the attack. The fast bowler finished with figures of 2 for 67 from 13 overs and accounted for two of India’s top-order batsmen.
Saleem made the first breakthrough in the morning session and struck again after lunch as India reached 209 for 2 at the tea interval.
Zia Ur Rahman Sharifi claimed Afghanistan’s third wicket, dismissing Rahul shortly after he reached his century. However, the wicket was later shown on Afghanistan Cricket Board updates before stumps, while the official end-of-day scorecard showed Rahul unbeaten on 100, suggesting a scoring or reporting discrepancy that was not immediately clarified.
Afghanistan handed a Test debut to Nangyal Kharotai, who was named in the playing XI alongside captain Hashmatullah Shahidi, Rahmat Shah, Rahmanullah Gurbaz and all-rounder Azmatullah Omarzai.
The match is Afghanistan’s latest appearance in the longest format of the game as it seeks to build experience against one of world cricket’s strongest Test sides.
India will resume on the second day with a strong platform, while Afghanistan will look for early wickets to prevent the hosts from posting a massive first-innings total.
