Afghanistan reeling after early collapse against Indian pace attack

NEW CHANDIGARH: India asserted complete dominance on Day 2 of the one-off Test against Afghanistan in Mullanpur, posting a commanding first-innings total of 564-8 declared before reducing the visitors to 113-5 at stumps with a disciplined bowling display.

Resuming their innings, the hosts continued to pile on the runs before declaring at a formidable 564. Captain Shubman Gill led from the front, extending his overnight century into a superb 126 off 177 balls, striking 15 boundaries and a six.

Significant contributions came throughout the middle and lower order. Rishabh Pant, who resumed unbeaten on fifty, went on to score 81 from 121 deliveries. Washington Sundar then built a 54-run stand with debutant Manav Suthar, who added a valuable 28.

Sundar accelerated fluently to finish unbeaten on 52, sharing further useful partnerships, including 30 runs with Mohammed Siraj and 24 with Kuldeep Yadav, before India declared.

Despite India’s batting dominance, Afghanistan’s Mohammad Saleem Safi produced a spirited bowling effort in testing conditions, returning outstanding figures of 6/140. He accounted for four of the five wickets to fall on Day 2 before the declaration.

In reply, Afghanistan’s first innings began shakily against India’s incisive bowling attack. Openers Abdul Malik and Sediqullah Atal were dismissed for 16 and 17 respectively, while Rahmanullah Gurbaz fell for 12 as Manav Suthar and Prasidh Krishna struck early blows.

Captain Hashmatullah Shahidi attempted to stabilise the innings with a fighting 20 but was trapped LBW, leaving the visitors under pressure at 98-4.

Rahmat Shah offered resistance with an unbeaten 43 at the close, becoming the first Afghan batter to reach 1,000 Test runs in the process. 

For India, Prasidh Krishna and Suthar maintained tight control throughout, consistently restricting scoring opportunities. Suthar struck again late in the day to claim his third wicket.

At the end of Day 2, Afghanistan were 113-5, still trailing by 451 runs and facing a steep challenge to avoid a heavy follow-on situation.