Gill’s Century Leads India’s Charge as Afghanistan Strike Back Before Lunch

New Chandigarh, June 2026 : India tightened their grip on the one-off Test against Afghanistan on the second day as captain Shubman Gill produced a superb century and Rishabh Pant played an attacking knock of 81. However, Afghanistan fought back with three crucial wickets in the morning session to slow India’s march towards a massive first-innings total.

At lunch, India were comfortably placed at 475 for 6 in 110 overs, with Washington Sundar unbeaten on 14 and debutant Manav Suthar batting on nine. The hosts added 107 runs during the session but lost the wickets of Gill, Pant and Dhruv Jurel.

Resuming the day on his overnight score of 103 not out, Gill continued to dominate the Afghan bowling attack with confidence and composure. The Indian skipper extended his innings to 126 off 177 deliveries, combining elegant strokeplay with calculated aggression. His knock provided the backbone of India’s innings and further strengthened the team’s commanding position in the match.

Gill’s impressive stay at the crease eventually ended when Mohammad Saleem Safi struck with the second new ball. The Afghan pacer generated pace and movement and was rewarded for his disciplined spell by dismissing the Indian captain.

Pant also looked in excellent touch and appeared set for a century of his own. The wicketkeeper-batter blended caution with aggression during his entertaining innings of 81 from 121 balls. However, like Sai Sudharsan on the opening day, Pant was unable to convert a promising fifty into a three-figure score.

Afghanistan’s bowlers created several opportunities during the session and were unfortunate not to claim more wickets. Both Gill and Pant received lifelines after close appeals that were not reviewed. Gill survived a leg-before shout, while Pant edged a delivery behind the stumps, but on both occasions Afghanistan chose not to use the Decision Review System despite replays later suggesting the decisions could have gone in their favour.

Wicketkeeper Afsar Zazai endured a frustrating period behind the stumps as his attempts to persuade captain Hashmatullah Shahidi to take reviews did not result in successful challenges.

Safi emerged as the visitors’ most effective bowler, picking up four wickets and providing Afghanistan with much-needed breakthroughs. He also removed Dhruv Jurel, who looked positive during his brief stay at the crease. Jurel struck four boundaries in his quickfire 19 off 20 balls before being beaten by a delivery that moved back sharply and crashed into the stumps.

Captain Shahidi also made a notable contribution with the ball, claiming his maiden Test wicket. Pant attempted an attacking lofted shot but failed to time it properly, offering a simple catch to mid-off.

Despite losing three wickets, India remained firmly in control of the contest. Sundar and Suthar ensured there were no further setbacks before lunch, adding valuable runs and striking a couple of boundaries each.

With a substantial total already on the board and conditions offering assistance to both seamers and spinners, India will look to extend their innings further before unleashing their bowlers on Afghanistan.

Brief Scores: India 475/6 in 110 overs (Shubman Gill 126, KL Rahul 100, Rishabh Pant 81; Mohammad Saleem Safi 4/109) against Afghanistan.