New Delhi, 07 June (H.S.):

India declared their first innings at a commanding 564 for 8 against Afghanistan in the one-off Test match, with captain Shubman Gill and opening batter KL Rahul scoring impressive centuries. Sai Sudharsan and Rishabh Pant contributed 81 runs each, while Washington Sundar added a valuable half-century with an unbeaten 52.

For Afghanistan, fast bowler Mohammad Saleem Saifi was the standout performer, claiming six wickets. Zia-ur-Rehman Sharifi and Hashmatullah Shahidi picked up one wicket apiece.

Resuming on the second day at 368 for 3, India continued to build on their strong position at the Test being played in New Chandigarh. Captain Gill and Rishabh Pant extended the innings and guided the team past the 400-run mark. However, Gill was eventually dismissed after a superb knock of 126 off 177 deliveries, which included 15 fours and one six.

India lost their fifth wicket in the form of Dhruv Jurel, who scored 19 runs from 20 balls with the help of four boundaries. The team suffered another setback during the morning session when Pant, who was batting fluently and approaching a century, was caught while attempting a big shot. He scored 81 runs from 121 balls, striking six fours and three sixes.

At lunch on the second day, India were firmly placed at 475 for 6 in their first innings. During the second session, the team crossed the 500-run milestone. India's seventh wicket fell at a total of 510 when debutant Manav Suthar was dismissed for 28 off 41 balls, an innings featuring two fours and two sixes. Mohammed Siraj then chipped in with a quick 22 from 12 deliveries before returning to the pavilion.

India subsequently declared their innings at 564 for 8. Washington Sundar remained unbeaten on 52 from 68 balls, while Kuldeep Yadav was not out on 9 from 26 deliveries.

Earlier on the opening day, opener KL Rahul had laid a solid foundation with a century, scoring 100 runs from 165 balls with 11 boundaries. Sai Sudharsan contributed 81 runs from 104 deliveries, while Yashasvi Jaiswal made 24 runs off 32 balls.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar