Rahul, Gill smash hundreds as India dominate Afghanistan: 1st Test, Day 1 (Chandigarh)

India seized complete control of the one-off Test against Afghanistan on the opening day in Mullanpur, ending at a commanding 368/3 after electing to bat.

After Yashasvi Jaiswal fell early for 24, KL Rahul and Sai Sudharsan steadied the innings with a century partnership before Sudharsan departed for a polished 81.  

Rahul then combined with captain Shubman Gill to put Afghanistan’s bowlers under sustained pressure. Rahul’s patient 100 anchored the innings, while Gill marked his first Test as India’s captain with a fluent unbeaten 103, reaching his century late in the day.

Rishabh Pant provided the perfect finishing touch with an attacking yet controlled unbeaten 50 as he and Gill added an unbroken 121-run stand for the fourth wicket.  

Afghanistan struggled to make regular breakthroughs despite disciplined spells from Mohammad Saleem Safi, who claimed 2/67, and Ziaur Rahman Sharifi, who removed Rahul immediately after his hundred. 

India 368 for 3 (Gill 103*, Rahul 100, Sudharsan 81, Pant 50*, Saleem 2-67) vs Afghanistan.

June 2026.