Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant Push India Past 370 on Day 2 Against Afghanistan

MULLANPUR — India’s red-ball lineup asserted immense authority over Afghanistan on Day 2 of the one-off Test match at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium. Resuming the morning from a dominant overnight score of 368 for three, Indian captain Shubman Gill and wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant extended their partnership to steer the hosts safely past the 370-run threshold, with an eye firmly set on an imposing 500-plus first-innings total.

Having won the toss and elected to bat on Day 1, India weathered an disciplined opening burst from the Afghan pacers before taking complete charge of the match. The ongoing execution from Gill, who notched a commanding century, alongside a characteristically brisk half-century from Pant, has left the visiting bowling contingent searching for structural answers on a flattening New Chandigarh track.

India vs Afghanistan: Current Match Status

Centurions Base a Dominant Platform

India's current commanding posture was forged through excellent top-order contributions on the opening day. Despite losing opener Yashasvi Jaiswal early for 24, top-order batsman Sai Sudharsan compiled a fluent 81 off 104 deliveries to stabilize the innings. The centerpiece of the day, however, was a resolute 131-run partnership between Sudharsan and vice-captain KL Rahul.

Rahul capitalized on an early missed review opportunity by Afghan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi to grind out a gritty century, reaching 100 off 165 balls before falling to Mohammad Saleem. Saleem remained the pick of the bowlers for Afghanistan, returning figures of 2 for 67, including the key scalp of Rahul immediately after his milestone.

Following Rahul's departure, Shubman Gill took the reins at No. 4, completing his 6th Test century as captain and crossing the 1,000-run mark in leadership format. Gill's elegant drive sequencing combined dynamically with Rishabh Pant, who injected rapid momentum into the final session of Day 1 by launching three sixes off a single over from Abdul Malik to reach his 19th Test fifty.

Structural Hurdles for Afghanistan's Red-Ball Transition

The physical toll on the tourist fields became evident as the local temperatures rose and moisture evaporated from the surface. While seamers Azmatullah Omarzai and Ziaur Rahman maintained steady lines initially, the lack of experienced multi-day support meant the spin department leaked heavy runs, with left-arm orthodox Nangeyalia Kharote going wicketless for 95 runs across his 20 overs.

For the visiting side, this fixture highlights the immense developmental gap in multi-day cricket formats. Since gaining Test status, Afghanistan has featured in only 11 Test matches compared to India’s 67 in the same relative window, a discrepancy that showed in unforced errors, including four no-balls delivered by bowler Abdul Malik.

Official Sources Section

According to official live statistics managed by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and real-time data verified on the International Cricket Council (ICC) official data stream, India maintains a commanding 96.2% win probability baseline moving into the second session of Day 2.

Key Updates

"According to officials from the local host association, the pitch condition is expected to remain highly optimal for strokeplay across the first two days before developing dry scuff marks that could assist spin elements from Day 3 onwards."

Why It Matters

For cricket fans and team analysts, India’s aggressive scoring rate of over 4.3 runs per over indicates a tactical intent to force a result early. By setting a massive first-innings total, India can avoid batting last on a deteriorating surface. For Afghanistan, the exposure highlights the critical requirement for long-form cricket domestic conditioning to prevent field fatigue and tactical lapses.

Key Facts at a Glance

• Top-Order Dominance: Century contributions from KL Rahul (100) and skipper Shubman Gill (106*) anchored India's massive first-innings push.

• Fast Momentum: Rishabh Pant secured his 19th Test half-century, striking at an aggressive 70.42 to push the total past 370.

• Bowling Breakthroughs: Afghan seamer Mohammad Saleem remains the primary threat for the tourists with figures of 2/67.

• Upcoming Schedule: Following this one-off red-ball fixture, India and Afghanistan will transition to a three-match ODI series starting June 13, 2026, in Dharamshala.

FAQ Section

Where can fans watch the live broadcast of the match?

Fans in India can view the live telecast across the Star Sports Network channels or access the digital live stream via the JioHotstar application.

When did Afghanistan last play a Test match against India?

Prior to this 2026 match, the two sides last met in a Test format in June 2018 at Bengaluru, an encounter that India won within two days.

Who is captaining the Indian team in this Test match?

Shubman Gill is leading the squad as captain for this one-off Test fixture at Mullanpur, with KL Rahul operating as his direct vice-captain.