Rahul, Gill hit tons as India dominate opening day of one-off Afghanistan Test

NEW CHANDIGARH: Right-handed opener KL Rahul and captain Shubman Gill scored centuries to help India's dominant start with the bat on the first day of their one-off Test against Afghanistan here at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium on Saturday.

At the stumps on the opening day, the home side were well-placed at 368/3 in 85 overs, with ton-up Gill and wicketkeeper batter Rishabh Pant unbeaten on 103 and 50, respectively.

Opting to bat first, India, however, had a shaky start to their innings as their left-handed opener Yashasvi Jaiswal (24) fell victim to Mohammad Saleem in the 12th over with just 41 runs on the board.

Following the early stutter, Sai Sudharsan joined experienced opener Rahul in the middle, and the duo batted dominantly to put together 139 runs for the second wicket until Saleem struck again, dismissing the former, who made 81 off 104 deliveries with the help of 13 boundaries.

Rahul then shared a 67-run stand for the third wicket with skipper Gill, which saw him bring up his 11th Test century and culminate with the opener's soft dismissal off Ziaur Rahman early in the third session.

The right-handed opener walked back after scoring 100 off 165 deliveries, smashing 11 boundaries.

Gill was then joined by wicketkeeper batter Pant in the middle, and the duo ensured retaining India's momentum with an unbeaten 141-run partnership for the fourth wicket, during which the home side's captain registered his 10th Test century.

Skipper Gill remained the top-scorer for India with an unbeaten 103 off 143 deliveries, comprising 11 fours and a six, while Pant has made 50 not out from 70 balls, having smashed three sixes and two fours.

For Afghanistan, Saleem bagged two wickets for 67 runs in his 13 overs, while Rahman claimed one.