India thrash Afghanistan by an innings and 300 runs in one-off Test

NEW CHANDIGARH: India crushed Afghanistan by an innings and 300 runs in the one-off Test after delivering a dominant all-round performance with both bat and ball on Monday at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium.

After opting to bat first, the hosts produced a commanding display and declared their first innings at 564-8, powered by a series of impressive centuries and half-centuries that dismantled the Afghanistan bowling attack.

The foundation of India's innings was laid by several significant contributions from the top and middle order. Shubman Gill led the charge with a fluent 126 off 177 deliveries, striking 15 fours and a six.

He was well supported by KL Rahul, who converted his start into a classy century, scoring 100 from 165 balls with the help of 11 fours. Rishabh Pant also played a typically aggressive yet impactful knock, making 81 off 121 deliveries, including six fours and three sixes.

Sai Sudharsan made a valuable contribution with 81 from 104 balls, featuring 13 boundaries, while Washington Sundar remained unbeaten on 52 from 68 deliveries, hitting five fours and a six.

Mohammad Saleem was the standout performer for Afghanistan with the ball, claiming 6/140 in 27 overs. Ziaur Rahman and Hashmatullah Shahidi chipped in with a wicket each.

In reply, Afghanistan endured a difficult outing with the bat and were dismissed for 152 in 58.4 overs, conceding a huge first-innings deficit of 412 runs. India subsequently enforced the follow-on, forcing the visitors to bat again in an attempt to avoid an innings defeat.

Afghanistan's first innings never gained momentum as India's disciplined bowling attack applied relentless pressure and struck at regular intervals.

Rahmat Shah was the lone bright spot for the visitors, producing a resilient 60 from 135 deliveries, including nine fours and a six. Hashmatullah Shahidi scored 20, while Sediqullah Atal added 17 and Abdul Malik contributed 16.

The rest of the batting line-up struggled against the Indian bowlers, with several batters falling for single-digit scores.

Debutant Manav Suthar starred with the ball for India, taking 6/33 in 22 overs. Prasidh Krishna claimed three wickets, while Washington Sundar picked up one.

Batting for a second time, Afghanistan were once again restricted to a modest total and were bowled out for 112 in 35.5 overs, with no batter managing to reach a half-century.

Opener Sediqullah Atal top-scored with 42 off 80 deliveries, striking five fours and a six, while Rahmanullah Gurbaz made a run-a-ball 24, including three fours and a six.

Washington Sundar led India's bowling effort in the second innings with four wickets in his 11-over spell. Kuldeep Yadav claimed three wickets, while Manav Suthar, Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna picked up one wicket each.