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- IND vs AFG Highlights, One-Off Test Match Day 1: Shubman Gill, KL Rahul hit centuries as India finish at 368/3 at Stumps
IND vs AFG Highlights, One-Off Test Match Day 1: Shubman Gill, KL Rahul hit centuries as India finish at 368/3 at Stumps
Rahul (100 off 165 balls) showed the value of defence while skipper Gill (103 batting off 143 balls) was intent-personified on a day when India decided to give a batting masterclass in Tests to an Afghanistan attack that was high on spirit but low on skill quotient.
The manner in which Gill batted, it seemed like he was playing a practice game.
The languid approach and the lazy elegance was on view as he held an already tired Afghan attack by the scruff of its neck, hitting 11 fours and a straight six. In his 41st Test, the Indian skipper now has 11 centuries.
The one who would rue missing out on a three figure mark is Sai Sudharsan (81 off 104 balls) despite getting two reprieves while Rishabh Pant was happy smashing three effortless sixes en route his unbeaten half-century off just 70 balls.
It is unlikely that India would bat more than a session and half on the second day before declaration and unleashing their spin troika on Afghanistan.
Ziaur Rahman to Shubman Gill, Hard length, around off, shaping back into the batter. Shubman Gill blocks this off his front foot.
- Shubman Gill 50 (68)
- Rishabh Pant 2 (4)
Mohammad Saleem to Shubman Gill, That brings up a 9th Test fifty for Shubman Gill. Good length, around off, Gill arches back and guides this through point for a single to bring up his half-century. Gill has looked the best of all the Indian batters to have batted so far in this game.
Mohammad Saleem to Shubman Gill, FOUR LEG BYES! Saleem goes full and dishes this down the leg side. Gill steps inside the line and looks to flick this away but gets it brushed off his pads for a boundary towards the fine leg region.
Mohammad Saleem to Shubman Gill, FOUR! Gill is finding the gaps at will. Short and wide of off, Shubman Gill rocks back and slashes hard at it. Cuts this through the backward point region for yet another boundary.
Mohammad Saleem to Shubman Gill, FOUR! A touch of reverse swing on offer here for Saleem but Gill nails the cover drive for four. On a length, around off, shaping just a hint away from the batter. Shubman Gill leans onto the stroke and drives this through covers for four runs.
Mohammad Saleem to Shubman Gill, Full and wide of off, Shubman Gill pushes this from the inner portion of his bat to mid off.
Mohammad Saleem to Shubman Gill, Back of a length, on the pads, Gill flicks this through square leg for a couple.
Mohammad Saleem (10-1-50-2) has been brought back, so it will be pace from both ends.
- Rishabh Pant 2 (4)
- Shubman Gill 39 (62)
Ziaur Rahman to Rishabh Pant, Good length, on the pads, Rishabh Pant tucks this to the leg side for a dot.
Ziaur Rahman to Rishabh Pant, Hard length, on top of off, Rishabh Pant blocks this out.
Ziaur Rahman to Rishabh Pant, Ziaur goes full and around the pads, Rishabh Pant flicks this through the mid-wicket region for a couple to get off the mark.
Ziaur Rahman to Rishabh Pant, Good length, around off, Rishabh Pant presents a full face of his bat and keeps it out.
Rishabh Pant makes his way out to bat.
Ziaur Rahman to KL Rahul, OUT! CAUGHT! Rahul and Indian fans are not allowed to celebrate the ton for long as KL chips one to Gurbaz at short cover right after reaching the triple figures. Pitched-up delivery, around off, KL Rahul looks to play the expansive drive. Gets it away from the outer half of his bat, and the ball was flying low and to the left of Rahmanullah Gurbaz at short cover. Gurbaz gets low and holds onto this with both hands to his left. KL Rahul gets dismissed right after scoring 100. With the end of a 67-run stand, India are now 247/3.
Ziaur Rahman to KL Rahul, CENTURY NUMBER 12 IN TESTS FOR RAHUL. Full and angled in at the pads. KL Rahul leans inside and flicks this through the mid-wicket region for a couple. Rahul is playing a proper Test knock, as he was struggling early on, but he is looking in a much better place now. KL takes the helmet off and acknowledges the applause with a raise of the bat.
DRINKS! It has been another phase of play where the home side, India, have managed to dominate proceedings with the bat. KL Rahul is just 2 shy of a well-deserved ton, whereas the Indian skipper, Shubman Gill, is complementing him perfectly from the other end. It is really hot out in the middle, and the bowlers aren't getting much from the surface other than the odd ball that is keeping low. India will look to make the most of the remaining period of play on Day 1 and pile up a total around 350 by the time play ends on the opening day.
- Shubman Gill 39 (62)
- KL Rahul 98 (163)
Nangeyalia Kharote to Shubman Gill, Fuller now and angled in at the stumps. Shubman Gill leans forward for the block.
Nangeyalia Kharote to Shubman Gill, Flat and short, on off. Shubman taps it to cover.
Nangeyalia Kharote to Shubman Gill, Attacking the front pad with a full ball. Gill is solid in defence.
Nangeyalia Kharote to KL Rahul, Shorter and turning away, on off. KL punches it to deep cover and moves to 98 with this single.
Nangeyalia Kharote to Shubman Gill, Full and quick, at the stumps, Gill wrists it wide of mid-wicket for a run.
Nangeyalia Kharote to Shubman Gill, Sliding on with the arm, full and on middle. Gill defends it off the front foot.
- KL Rahul 97 (162)
- Shubman Gill 38 (57)
Ziaur Rahman to KL Rahul, Drifting onto the pads, on the fuller side. KL plays it along the ground to mid on.
Ziaur Rahman to Shubman Gill, Fuller and tailing back in, on middle. Gill presses forward for the drive. It comes off the inner half and rolls to mid-wicket. The sub fielder, Qais Ahmad dives to his left and ends up parrying it away from the mid on fielder. That allows the batters to cross over.
Ziaur Rahman to Shubman Gill, Hits the good length, on the off pole. Shubman stabs it down on the off side.
Ziaur Rahman to Shubman Gill, Full and around the off stump, Shubman eases it to mid off by extending his hands.
Ziaur Rahman to Shubman Gill, Stays full and keeps the stumps in play, Gill pushes it to mid on.
Ziaur Rahman to Shubman Gill, Attacking the front pad, full in length. Gill drives it to mid on.
- KL Rahul 97 (161)
- Shubman Gill 37 (52)
Hashmatullah Shahidi to KL Rahul, FOUR! Dispatched! A bit too short by Hashmatullah Shahidi, outside off. Rahul needs no second invitation as he rocks back, makes room and slaps it past cover for a boundary. Moves to 97, does KL.
Hashmatullah Shahidi to Shubman Gill, Fires it full and on middle. Shubman flicks it to the right of long on and crosses over.
Hashmatullah Shahidi to Shubman Gill, Slower and on a good length, on off and middle. Gill pats it to the right of the bowler.
Hashmatullah Shahidi to KL Rahul, Drops it short, on middle. KL hops back and punches it to the left of mid off for a quick single.
Hashmatullah Shahidi to KL Rahul, Keeps it nice and slow, full and on middle. Rahul blocks it out by getting forward.
Hashmatullah Shahidi to KL Rahul, Offers flight, full and on off. Rahul uses his feet to smother the spin.
Halt! Azmatullah Omarzai is feeling the heat and after toiling hard, he is walking off the field alongside Afghanistan's team physio.
- KL Rahul 92 (157)
- Shubman Gill 36 (50)
Azmatullah Omarzai to KL Rahul, Slower one, bowled into the surface, on middle. Rahul waits on the back foot and works it behind square leg. Keeps the strike with a single.
Azmatullah Omarzai to KL Rahul, Pitches it up, outside off. Rahul extends his hands and eases it to cover.
Azmatullah Omarzai to KL Rahul, Attacks the stumps with a good-length ball. KL defends it right under his eyes.
Azmatullah Omarzai to Shubman Gill, Varies his length as this is dug in short, over middle. Gill gets on top of the bounce and pulls it down to deep fine leg for a run.
Azmatullah Omarzai to Shubman Gill, Pace taken off now, fuller and on off. Shubman Gill reaches out in front for the block.
Azmatullah Omarzai to Shubman Gill, Cutting back in a bit, on a back of a length, on the off stump. Shubman plays it off the back foot to mid off.
- KL Rahul 91 (154)
- Shubman Gill 35 (47)
Hashmatullah Shahidi to KL Rahul, Low full toss, on leg. Rahul steps out and flicks it to mid-wicket.
Hashmatullah Shahidi to Shubman Gill, Attacking the front pad, on a good length, on middle. Gill wrists it through square leg and crosses over.
Hashmatullah Shahidi to KL Rahul, Slower and shorter, turning back in, on middle. Rahul rocks back and adjusts to the low bounce. Pulls it towards mid-wicket, where the fielder tumbles to his left but can only make a half stop. They cross.
Hashmatullah Shahidi to KL Rahul, Pushed through, on off. Rahul hangs back to a full ball and punches it through point for a couple of runs.
Hashmatullah Shahidi to KL Rahul, Looped up, wide on off, inviting the drive. Rahul goes for it but ends up bunting it down the wicket.
Hashmatullah Shahidi to KL Rahul, Hashmatullah Shahidi brings himself back into the attack. Very full, on middle. KL digs it out back to the bowler.
- Shubman Gill 34 (46)
- KL Rahul 88 (149)
Azmatullah Omarzai to Shubman Gill, Tailing back in, on a good length, on the off stump. Gill gets right behind the line and is solid in defence.
Azmatullah Omarzai to Shubman Gill, Keeps it around that off stump, does Omarzai. Shubman angles it to point.
Azmatullah Omarzai to Shubman Gill, Back to that back of a length, outside off. Gill dabs it to point.
Rahul (100 off 165 balls) showed the value of defence while skipper Gill (103 batting off 143 balls) was intent-personified on a day when India decided to give a batting masterclass in Tests to an Afghanistan attack that was high on spirit but low on skill quotient.
The manner in which Gill batted, it seemed like he was playing a practice game.
The languid approach and the lazy elegance was on view as he held an already tired Afghan attack by the scruff of its neck, hitting 11 fours and a straight six. In his 41st Test, the Indian skipper now has 11 centuries.
The one who would rue missing out on a three figure mark is Sai Sudharsan (81 off 104 balls) despite getting two reprieves while Rishabh Pant was happy smashing three effortless sixes en route his unbeaten half-century off just 70 balls.
It is unlikely that India would bat more than a session and half on the second day before declaration and unleashing their spin troika on Afghanistan.
