IND vs AFG Live: Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant look to extend India's dominance

Afghanistan's biggest weakness turned out to be their spin resources. With their established stars unavailable due to T20 league commitments around the world, the responsibility fell on Nangeyalia Kharote and off-spinner Abdul Malik.

However, the pair lacked the penetration required to challenge a batting line-up of India's calibre.

Kharote conceded 95 runs in 20 overs without reward, while Malik managed six overs and also went wicketless. Mohammad Saleem emerged as the most successful bowler with figures of 2 for 67, while pacer Ziaur Rahman impressed despite claiming only one wicket.

Overall, Afghanistan's attack lacked the quality to sustain pressure and India took full advantage. Without launching into an all-out assault, the hosts still accumulated runs at a brisk pace, striking 42 fours and four sixes.

With assistance available for spin, India are expected to declare early on the second day and unleash their own three-pronged slow-bowling attack.

If Rahul and Sudharsan provided substance, Gill and Rishabh Pant supplied the entertainment. Their unbroken 121-run partnership left an already weary Afghan attack searching for answers in the sweltering North Indian conditions.

Gill's batting carried an effortless quality, with his short-arm pull and flowing cover drives highlighting his supreme confidence. In his 41st Test, the Indian skipper registered his 11th century and rarely looked troubled.

Pant, meanwhile, adopted a more aggressive approach, striking three towering sixes during his unbeaten half-century from just 70 balls. The pair rotated strike comfortably and punished loose deliveries without resorting to reckless aggression.

Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi was forced to spread the field in a desperate attempt to stem the flow of boundaries, but India continued to score freely and ended the day in complete command of proceedings.

Sai Sudharsan once again underlined why he is regarded as one of India's brightest batting prospects. The left-hander played fluently for his 81 off 104 balls and was particularly impressive against pace, repeatedly whipping deliveries through the mid-wicket region.

His innings, however, was aided by two moments of fortune. He was first dropped in the slips off left-arm spinner Nangeyalia Kharote and later escaped when an outside edge off Ziaur Rahman flew between the wicketkeeper and first slip.

Despite those reprieves, Sudharsan batted with confidence and shared a valuable 139-run stand with Rahul after Yashasvi Jaiswal had gifted his wicket with an unnecessary glance down the leg side. Just when a maiden Test century seemed inevitable, Sudharsan's ambition got the better of him as Mohammad Saleem induced an edge behind to end a promising knock.

Rahul's innings was a reminder of the value of patience in the longest format. The right-hander survived an early scare when Ziaur Rahman induced an edge that keeper Afsar Zazai failed to appeal for, with television replays later confirming that the opener had been fortunate.

Once given that lifeline, Rahul settled into his rhythm and played an innings marked by discipline and elegance. His cover drives and trademark on-drives were executed with precision while the straight drive remained a delight to watch. Unlike some of his more attacking partners, Rahul was content to accumulate steadily and allow others to play their natural game.

It took him 164 deliveries to bring up his 12th Test century, but his concentration rarely wavered. Ironically, he departed immediately after reaching the landmark, offering a catch to cover off Ziaur Rahman.

India's powerful batting line-up delivered a lesson in Test match batting as KL Rahul and captain Shubman Gill struck contrasting hundreds to propel the hosts to a commanding 368 for three against Afghanistan on the opening day of the one-off Test on Saturday.

Rahul's unbeaten patience and Gill's effortless aggression complemented each other perfectly, exposing the gap in quality between the two sides.

While Rahul showcased the virtues of defence and shot selection during his 100 off 165 balls, Gill looked in complete control, reaching 103 not out from 143 deliveries with remarkable ease. His innings, studded with 11 boundaries and a six, carried an air of inevitability, as though he was merely participating in a practice session.

By stumps, India had firmly seized control of the contest and looked set to dictate terms for the remainder of the match.

Mohammad Saleem to Shubman Gill, Full and on off, Shubman Gill tucks this through square leg for one. That will be STUMPS ON DAY 1.

Mohammad Saleem to Rishabh Pant, 19th TEST FIFTY FOR PANT! A very unlike Pant knock, but he has done really well to restrict his natural self and respect the conditions and grind hard for his half-century, saying this despite Pant smoking 3 biggies and 2 boundaries. Good length, around off, Pant opens the face of his bat and guides this to the third man region to bring up his half-century with a single.

Mohammad Saleem to Shubman Gill, On a length, around the pads, Gill flicks this past the diving mid-wicket fielder just for one. Even the batters are tired at this point.

Mohammad Saleem to Shubman Gill, Fuller delivery, in the line of the stumps, Gill punches this towards mid on.

Mohammad Saleem to Rishabh Pant, Back of a length, around off, Rishabh Pant cuts this through point for a strike rotation.

Mohammad Saleem to Rishabh Pant, Good length, angled into the batter, Pant blocks this one.

Nangeyalia Kharote to Shubman Gill, Tossed up, around off, Gill defends this one.

Nangeyalia Kharote to Rishabh Pant, Full and around off, Pant drives this through covers for one.

Nangeyalia Kharote to Rishabh Pant, Quicker one, on off, Rishabh Pant defends it out.

Nangeyalia Kharote to Rishabh Pant, FOUR! Pant has resisted the temptation to play this scoop for long but not on this occasion. Short and wide down the leg side, Rishabh Pant comes inside the line and scoops this towards the fine leg fence for four runs. 

Nangeyalia Kharote to Rishabh Pant, Turning back in, on a good length, on middle. Pant lunges for the block but is beaten on the inside edge and wears it on the front pad.

Nangeyalia Kharote to Shubman Gill, Short of a length, around off, Gill cuts this to deep point for one.

Mohammad Saleem to Rishabh Pant, Good length, on off, Rishabh Pant pokes at it but gets beaten.

Mohammad Saleem to Shubman Gill, 11th TEST TON FOR SHUBMAN GILL! Back of a length, on middle and leg, Gill leans inside the line of the ball and milks it past the right of the square leg fielder for a single to bring up his century on his home turf. It has been a rather dreamy knock from the Indian skipper, and some of those flicks and drives from the bat of Gill have been splendid. 

Mohammad Saleem to Shubman Gill, Good length, on the pads, Gill nudges this to square leg. Pant was charging for a single but Gill sends him back. 

Mohammad Saleem to Shubman Gill, Pitched-up delivery, on the pads, Gill flicks this straight to mid on. 

Mohammad Saleem to Shubman Gill, Back of a length, on off, Gill thumps this to covers. Stays on 99.

Mohammad Saleem to Rishabh Pant, Saleem bowls this full and wide of off, Pant opens the face of his bat and guides this to the deep third region for one.

Hashmatullah Shahidi to Rishabh Pant, Under-cutter, around off, Pant pushes this gently through covers for a single. 

Hashmatullah Shahidi to Shubman Gill, Full and on the pads, Gill flicks this past mid-wicket for one.

Hashmatullah Shahidi to Shubman Gill, Arm-delivery, around the pads, Gill stands tall and tucks this through the square leg region. Calls for two straightaway and completes that with ease.

Hashmatullah Shahidi to Shubman Gill, Fired into the batter, on middle and off, Gill keeps it out.

Hashmatullah Shahidi to Rishabh Pant, Loopy delivery, around off, Pant hammers this down to long off for one.

Hashmatullah Shahidi to Rishabh Pant, FOUR! First four to Pant's column in this contest. Short of a length, on middle and off, Pant rocks back and pulls this through the mid-wicket region for four runs. 350 comes up for India. 

Nangeyalia Kharote to Rishabh Pant, The 100-run stand comes up between Pant and Gill. Full and wide of off, Pant knocks this down to long off for one.

Nangeyalia Kharote to Shubman Gill, Tossed up, around off, Gill drives this to long off for a single. 

Nangeyalia Kharote to Rishabh Pant, Too full this time on middle and off, Pant hammers this past the bowler to his right for a single. A half-stop from the bowler but the ball still dribbles behind him for one.

Nangeyalia Kharote to Rishabh Pant, Kharote bowls this full and on middle and leg. Pant offers a straight bat and keeps it out.

Nangeyalia Kharote to Shubman Gill, Loopy delivery, around off, Gill drives this through covers for one run.

Nangeyalia Kharote to Shubman Gill, Under-cutter, down the leg side, Gill tickles this towards the fine leg region for two runs.

Hashmatullah Shahidi to Rishabh Pant, Pushed through on off, Pant defends this right back to the bowler.

Hashmatullah Shahidi to Rishabh Pant, Fuller around off, Pant slices this to point.

Hashmatullah Shahidi to Rishabh Pant, Drifts one into the batter and it straightens after pitching. Rishabh Pant rocks back inside the crease and keeps it out.

Hashmatullah Shahidi to Shubman Gill, Darted onto the pads, Gill stands tall and milks this through backward square leg for one.

Hashmatullah Shahidi to Shubman Gill, Quicker one around off, Gill punches this to mid off for a dot.

Hashmatullah Shahidi to Shubman Gill, Full and on middle and leg, Gill jumps close to the pitch of the ball and tucks this towards short mid-wicket.