One-off Test: KL Rahul stands tall as India reach 209/2 at tea
New Chandigarh, June 6
KL Rahul and Sai Sudharsan struck composed half-centuries and shared a commanding 139-run partnership as India tightened their grip on the one-off Test against Afghanistan, reaching 209/2 in 50 overs at Tea on Day 1 at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium here in Mullanpur on Saturday.
Resuming the afternoon session at 96/1, India added 113 runs for the loss of just one wicket, with Rahul unbeaten on 81 and captain Shubman Gill on 20 not out at the break. Afghanistan's lone success in the session came through Mohammad Saleem Safi again, who ended Sai's impressive run at 81.
Having survived a testing opening session, Rahul looked far more fluent after lunch. The right-hander quickly shifted gears, collecting boundaries against both pace and spin before bringing up his 21st Test fifty. At the other end, Sai continued the encouraging start to his Test career, displaying patience and strokeplay in equal measure as he reached his third Test half-century.
The pair steadily wore down the Afghanistan attack, rotating strike effectively while capitalising on loose deliveries. Afghanistan created a few opportunities but were unable to make them count. Sai enjoyed a significant reprieve on 59 when an outside edge off Ziaur Rahman Sharifi flew past wicketkeeper Afsar Zazai, while Rahul survived an lbw review after an inside edge saved him against Saleem Safi's reverse swing.
As the session progressed, Sai grew increasingly confident against spin. The left-hander swept Afghanistan skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi regularly and drove fluently through the off side, helping India move past 150 and then 175 with relative ease.
Afghanistan's bowlers continued to search for a breakthrough, with Sharifi producing probing spells and Saleem Safi generating reverse swing. The persistence finally paid off in the 43rd over when Saleem Safi induced an edge from Sai with a full delivery outside off. Wicketkeeper Zazai completed a sharp low catch to end the partnership and dismiss the debutant for a well-crafted 81 off 104 balls, studded with 13 boundaries.
The dismissal ended a 139-run stand that had rescued India from 41/1 and placed the hosts firmly in control.
Gill, arriving at No. 4, settled quickly despite an early lbw scare against Shahidi that Afghanistan unsuccessfully reviewed. The Indian captain responded positively, driving and pulling with authority to collect four boundaries in a brisk unbeaten 20 off 28 deliveries. Rahul, meanwhile, continued to anchor the innings, moving into the eighties and keeping Afghanistan at bay as India crossed the 200-run mark shortly before Tea.
While Afghanistan will take encouragement from finally breaking the Rahul-Sai stand, India remain well placed heading into the final session, with Rahul set for a century and skipper Gill looking increasingly comfortable at the crease.
Brief Scores: India 209/2 in 50 overs (KL Rahul 81 not out, Shubman Gill 20 not out, Sai Sudharsan 81; Mohammad Saleem Safi 2-50) against Afghanistan.
— IANS
Reader Comments
KL Rahul is back in form? 🙏 Finally! After that lean patch in Tests, seeing him anchor this innings is a relief. But honestly, we can't get too excited - Afghanistan are missing Rashid Khan and Mujeeb, so this is a weakened attack. Still, 209/2 at tea is a solid platform. Hopefully Rahul converts this into a big one, he's due a daddy hundred! 💪
Good to see India in control, but I'm a bit concerned about the middle order. 😅 We lost Sai at 81, and now Gill and Rahul need to build another partnership. Afghanistan's bowlers are getting tired, but they're still dangerous - especially Saleem Safi with that reverse swing. India should aim for 400+ here, especially with the pitch likely to break up later. Come on, boys! 🏏
Honestly, Afghanistan have been impressive with the ball despite the scoreboard. Their seamers, especially Safi, have created chances - Rahul survived an lbw review, Sai was dropped. India have been a bit lucky. 😤 But credit to the batters for capitalizing. KL Rahul's footwork against spin has been excellent, and Sai's debut has been top-notch. This is turning into a great Test match! 🏏🔥
Can we talk about how well Rahul is batting? 81 not out and he's looking set for a big one. 🏏🔥 But I'm a bit worried about the run rate - 209 in 50 overs is a bit slow for modern Test cricket. That said, with Gill looking confident, expecting some acceleration in the final session. India needs to declare around 450-ish and give themselves time to bowl Afghanistan out twice. 🇮🇳
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