India Sets Foundation in Test Against Afghanistan
India vs Afghanistan one-off tes
India’s Test side began its one-off encounter against Afghanistan at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur on Saturday, June 6, 2026, with captain Shubman Gill winning the toss and electing to bat first. The match, which serves as a significant fixture for both nations, saw India enter the field with a refreshed squad as they navigate a transitional phase under head coach Gautam Gambhir. Left-arm spinner Manav Suthar marked a career milestone by receiving his maiden Test cap, while the team also welcomed back Sai Sudharsan to the batting lineup.
The opening session provided a competitive start to the five-day contest. India’s openers, KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal, navigated the initial movement from the Afghan pace attack, establishing a solid 41-run partnership before the first breakthrough occurred. Jaiswal, who looked comfortable during his stay, was dismissed for 24 runs after an inside edge was snared by wicketkeeper Afsar Zazai off the bowling of Mohammad Saleem, who claimed his maiden Test wicket. At the end of the early morning exchanges, India maintained a steady scoring rate, with KL Rahul and Sai Sudharsan working to stabilize the innings.
Afghanistan’s captain, Hashmatullah Shahidi, expressed that while his side would have preferred to bat first on a surface that appeared favorable for scoring, they remained fully prepared for the challenge. The visitors introduced debutant Nangeyalia Kharote into their ranks as part of a balanced bowling attack featuring three seamers and two spinners. Both teams are looking to utilize this match as a vital building block, with India aiming to regain momentum following their recent Test series results and Afghanistan seeking to make an impact in the traditional format. You can follow the full live scorecard and detailed session updates here.
