India India Begin Well vs Afghanistan in One-Off Test New Chandigarhc
Winning the toss and opting to bat first at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh, India got off to a steady start. The match is also the start of India’s new-look red-ball season under Shubman Gill, who leads India in Newcastle, as he looks to come up against a crucial test for his team and that of Australia.
India approached the early movement with caution from openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul, providing a solid platform. Afghanistan’s bowlers however stuck to tight lines and lengths in the first session. Fast bowler Mohammad Saleem Safi made an early breakthrough for the visitors when he took the wicket of Jaiswal for 24 to end a dangerous opening partnership that had put India in control.
After the wicket, KL Rahul continued to hold one end up with Sai Sudharsan at No. 3, a position where he received backing from head coach Gautam Gambhir right before the match. The duo batted for the recovery and made sure that India do not lose wicket after another in a short period of time.
More than the result itself, the Test is significant. Even though it is not part of the ongoing ICC World Test Championship course, India are using the match as preparation for a grueling run of red-ball matches in the next few months. And Afghanistan, too, see this contest as another important stage in their progress within the Test arena where they have only played a handful of Tests since gaining full-member status.
In the hope of giving a strong Indian side a run for their money, Afghanistan was keeping themselves trained towards honing experience on overseas tracks under captain Hashmatullah Shahidi. The Indians, in contrast, are looking to ride the wave under Gill and use this tour as a springboard to the new Test era.
As the first day unfolds, both teams will try to get a grip on a match that should mark an important chapter in what is becoming an increasingly keen cricketing rivalry between India and Afghanistan.
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