India Register Record Test Win Over Afghanistan as Gill, Rahul and Debutant Suthar Shine

New Chandigarh, June 2026 : India produced one of the most commanding performances in their Test cricket history, crushing Afghanistan by an innings and 300 runs inside three days in New Chandigarh on Sunday. The emphatic victory, achieved through a complete display of batting, bowling and fielding excellence, became the largest win by margin in India’s Test history and highlighted the gulf in class between the two sides.

The hosts dominated every session of the match after Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi opted to field first. India responded by piling up a massive first-innings total of 564 for 8 declared, before bowling out Afghanistan twice for 152 and 112 to complete the innings victory with remarkable ease.

India’s triumph was built on outstanding batting performances from captain Shubman Gill and senior opener KL Rahul, both of whom scored impressive centuries. Their efforts were complemented by valuable contributions throughout the batting order, while debutant left-arm spinner Manav Suthar delivered a memorable performance with the ball to cap a dream start to his Test career.

After being asked to bat, India overcame the initial challenge posed by the new ball through a composed partnership between Rahul and Gill. Rahul, returning to his familiar role at the top of the order, displayed patience and control during an innings of 100 from 165 deliveries. He negotiated the early movement expertly before gradually taking charge against Afghanistan’s bowlers.

Gill continued his excellent run in Test cricket with a superb knock of 126 from 177 balls. The Indian captain struck 15 boundaries and a six in a stylish innings that combined aggression with maturity. His ability to rotate strike and punish loose deliveries ensured Afghanistan remained under pressure throughout his stay at the crease.

The partnership laid a strong foundation for India’s imposing total and allowed the middle order to play with freedom. Young left-hander Sai Sudharsan once again demonstrated his growing credentials at the international level, compiling a fluent 81 that further frustrated the visitors.

Rishabh Pant then entertained the crowd with his trademark attacking strokeplay. The wicketkeeper-batter smashed 81 runs, including six boundaries and three towering sixes, shifting the momentum firmly in India’s favour. Pant’s aggressive approach left Afghanistan’s bowlers searching for answers as the hosts continued to pile on the runs.

Washington Sundar added the finishing touches with an unbeaten half-century. His composed 52 not out ensured India crossed the 550-run mark, while useful contributions from Manav Suthar and Mohammed Siraj further strengthened the total. India eventually declared at 564 for 8 after 127 overs.

For Afghanistan, fast bowler Mohammad Saleem Safi was the lone standout performer. Despite receiving little support from the other bowlers, Safi persevered throughout the innings and finished with figures of 6 for 140, accounting for the majority of India’s wickets.

Facing a daunting first-innings deficit, Afghanistan struggled from the outset. Although openers Abdul Malik and Sediqullah Atal showed some resistance, India quickly tightened their grip through disciplined bowling and relentless pressure.

The only significant challenge came from experienced batter Rahmat Shah, who produced a determined innings of 60 from 135 deliveries. He battled patiently against India’s varied attack and attempted to hold the innings together, but found little support from the other end.

The star of the innings was debutant spinner Manav Suthar. Making his first appearance in Test cricket, the left-arm spinner displayed remarkable control and confidence. He extracted turn and bounce from the surface while varying his pace intelligently to trouble Afghanistan’s batters.

Suthar dismissed Abdul Malik, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Rahmat Shah, Afsar Zazai, Sharafuddin Ashraf and Mohammad Saleem Safi to finish with exceptional figures of 6 for 33 from 22 overs. His spell effectively dismantled Afghanistan’s batting lineup and earned widespread praise.

Pacer Prasidh Krishna provided excellent support, claiming 3 for 37 as Afghanistan were dismissed for 152 in 58.4 overs. With India enjoying a massive first-innings lead of 412 runs, Gill wasted little time in enforcing the follow-on.

Afghanistan showed greater intent in their second innings and briefly threatened to make India work harder. Openers Sediqullah Atal and Rahmanullah Gurbaz launched a positive counterattack, taking advantage of the conditions and scoring freely during the opening exchanges.

Atal struck an enterprising 42 while Gurbaz contributed a quick 24 as the visitors raced to 42 without loss. The opening stand represented Afghanistan’s most productive period of the match and offered a glimpse of resistance.

However, India eventually broke through when Mohammed Siraj trapped Abdul Malik leg-before wicket. Once the first wicket fell, Afghanistan’s innings quickly lost direction.

Kuldeep Yadav removed the dangerous Gurbaz, while Washington Sundar produced a decisive spell that effectively sealed the contest. The off-spinner dismissed key batters Rahmat Shah, captain Hashmatullah Shahidi and Azmatullah Omarzai, exploiting drift and turn to devastating effect.

Sundar’s accuracy and control created immense pressure, resulting in a dramatic collapse. Afghanistan lost four wickets for just 24 runs during the middle session as India’s bowlers tightened their stranglehold.

Suthar added another wicket to complete a memorable debut match by trapping Afsar Zazai lbw. Kuldeep then wrapped up the tail, claiming three wickets including the final dismissal of Saleem Safi. Injured batter Sharafuddin Ashraf did not come out to bat, and Afghanistan were bowled out for 112 in 35.5 overs.

Sundar finished with figures of 4 for 36 in the innings and five wickets in the match, adding significant value to his unbeaten fifty. Kuldeep returned 3 for 30, while Siraj and Suthar chipped in with one wicket each.

The victory underlined India’s dominance in every department. Gill’s century, Rahul’s composed hundred, valuable contributions from Sudharsan, Pant and Sundar, and Suthar’s seven-wicket match haul ensured the hosts controlled proceedings from start to finish.

For Afghanistan, Rahmat Shah’s first-innings 60 and Atal’s spirited 42 in the second innings were among the few positives. Ultimately, however, they were overwhelmed by a relentless Indian side that delivered a clinical performance to register a record-breaking Test victory and further strengthen its reputation as one of the most formidable teams in world cricket.

Brief Scores: India 564/8 dec in 127 overs (Shubman Gill 126, KL Rahul 100, Sai Sudharsan 81, Rishabh Pant 81, Washington Sundar 52*; Mohammad Saleem Safi 6-140) beat Afghanistan 152 in 58.4 overs (Rahmat Shah 60; Manav Suthar 6-33, Prasidh Krishna 3-37) and 112 in 35.5 overs (Sediqullah Atal 42, Rahmanullah Gurbaz 24; Washington Sundar 4-36, Kuldeep Yadav 3-30, Manav Suthar 1-29) by an innings and 300 runs.