Gill's Statement Ton After Rahul Heroics Leaves India on Brink of Huge First-Innings Total

India enjoyed near-total control on the opening day of the one-off Test against Afghanistan, finishing at 368 for 3 in 85 overs at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Chandigarh.

Captain Shubman Gill remained unbeaten on 103, while KL Rahul scored a composed 100 before being dismissed immediately after reaching his century. Rishabh Pant then accelerated the scoring rate with an entertaining unbeaten half-century to ensure India ended the day with significant momentum.

Afghanistan's bowlers struggled to create sustained pressure, with Mohammad Saleem Safi taking two wickets and Ziaur Rahman Sharifi accounting for one batter.

How Did Gill and Rahul Build India's Advantage?

India resumed the final session in a commanding position at 209 for 2 and continued to score steadily through the afternoon.

The partnership between Gill and Rahul frustrated Afghanistan's attack as the duo rotated strike effectively while capitalising on scoring opportunities. Their stand carried India to 245 for 2 by the 60th over.

Rahul reached his 12th Test century on the first ball of the 61st over, bringing up the milestone in 164 deliveries. The hundred was particularly significant as it marked the sixth different Test opponent against whom he has scored a century.

However, his celebration was short-lived. On the very next ball, he was caught by Rahmanullah Gurbaz off Ziaur Rahman Sharifi, ending a valuable partnership with Gill. Rahul's innings of 100 came from 165 balls and included 11 boundaries.

How Did Shubman Gill Lead From the Front?

Gill continued to anchor the innings after Rahul's dismissal.

Shortly after, he reached his half-century by striking two boundaries off Saleem Safi. The Indian skipper maintained a controlled approach while ensuring the scoring rate never dipped.

As the innings progressed, Gill gradually shifted gears and took advantage of a tiring Afghanistan attack. His century arrived on the fifth ball of the 83rd over, achieved in 138 deliveries.

The hundred was his 11th in Test cricket and his sixth as India's captain, underlining his growing stature as a leader and top-order batter.

By stumps, Gill was unbeaten on 103 from 143 balls and looked set for a much bigger score.

What Impact Did Rishabh Pant Have in the Final Session?

Pant's arrival added another dimension to India's batting.

While Gill provided stability, Pant injected urgency into the innings. The wicketkeeper-batter targeted Afghanistan's spinners and seamers alike, ensuring India maintained pressure on the visitors.

One of the most decisive moments came in the 68th over when Pant launched an assault on Abdul Malik, striking three sixes in the over as India surged beyond the 300-run mark.

His aggressive approach prevented Afghanistan from settling into defensive plans and helped India race from a strong position to a dominant one.

Pant eventually reached his half-century in the final over of the day, getting there in just 70 balls and remaining unbeaten at stumps.

How Did the Second Session Shape the Match?

India had already laid a solid foundation during the middle session.

KL Rahul looked increasingly fluent after lunch and soon completed his 21st Test fifty. At the other end, Sai Sudharsan continued his impressive start, attacking left-arm spinner Ziaur Rahman and bringing up his third Test half-century.

Afghanistan came close to a breakthrough when Sudharsan edged a delivery on 59, but the chance went down as the ball evaded the wicketkeeper.

The visitors finally found success through Saleem Safi, whose pace and reverse swing troubled the Indian batters. He dismissed Sudharsan for a well-made 81, ending a productive innings that had strengthened India's position.

Despite the wicket, Rahul and Gill ensured India remained firmly on top, taking the score to 209 for 2 by tea.

What Happened During the Morning Session?

India's innings began cautiously after winning the toss and choosing to bat.

Openers KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal provided a steady start, with Jaiswal striking a boundary in the opening over to signal positive intent.

Afghanistan's bowlers, however, maintained disciplined lines and lengths and restricted easy scoring opportunities. Their persistence paid off in the 12th over when Saleem Safi induced an edge from Jaiswal, who was caught behind after scoring 24 from 32 balls.

Sai Sudharsan then joined Rahul and helped rebuild the innings. The pair added 55 runs for the second wicket from just 78 deliveries, allowing India to recover smoothly from the early setback.

At lunch, India were comfortably placed at 96 for 1, with Rahul unbeaten on 37 and Sudharsan on 32.

Why Is India's Position So Strong Heading Into Day 2?

India's commanding position stems from contributions throughout the batting order.

Rahul converted a solid start into a century, Sudharsan supplied momentum during the middle phase, Gill produced a captain's innings, and Pant's late flourish accelerated the scoring rate.

With seven wickets still in hand and two established batters at the crease, India are well placed to push beyond 500 and place Afghanistan under severe pressure in the one-off Test.

Brief Scores: India 368/3 in 85 overs (Shubman Gill 103*; KL Rahul 100; Mohammad Saleem Safi 2/67) against Afghanistan.

(With inputs from ANI)