India reached 96 for 1 at lunch on the opening day of their one-off Test against Afghanistan on Saturday, with openers KL Rahul and Sai Sudharsan guiding the hosts through the morning session.
Rahul was unbeaten on 37 off 70 balls at the break, while Sudharsan remained not out on 32 from 49 deliveries.
Afghanistan’s only breakthrough came through fast bowler Mohammad Saleem Safi, who finished the session with figures of 1 for 27 from five overs.
The match marks Afghanistan’s latest appearance in Test cricket and features a squad led by Hashmatullah Shahidi. The visitors handed a Test debut to Nangyal Kharotai, who was included in the playing XI announced before the match.
Afghanistan’s lineup also includes Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rahmat Shah and Abdul Malik, while Afsar Zazai is keeping wicket.
The one-off Test provides Afghanistan an opportunity to gain valuable experience in the longest format against one of cricket’s strongest Test nations. Afghanistan became a full member of the International Cricket Council in 2017 and played its first Test match the following year.
India will look to build on its solid start when play resumes after lunch, while Afghanistan will seek early wickets to pull the match back in its favor.
