Afghanistan had a golden opportunity to seize control during the opening session of the one-off Test against India in New Chandigarh, but a combination of missed chances and lapses in concentration allowed the hosts to emerge largely unscathed. At lunch on Day 1, India reached 96/1, with KL Rahul and Sai Sudharsan ensuring the visitors paid a heavy price for their mistakes.
The biggest talking point of the session came when Rahul survived what appeared to be a clear edge behind the wicket. Facing pacer Ziaur Rahman Sharifi, the experienced opener nicked the ball, with UltraEdge later confirming contact. However, wicketkeeper Afsar Zazai failed to appeal, and Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi chose not to review the decision. As a result, Rahul received a massive reprieve and continued his innings.
The incident sparked an amusing reaction from former England spinner Graeme Swann during commentary. “KL Rahul deserves an Oscar for that. The keeper and captain looked at him, he shook his head, and they believed him,” Swann joked on air, highlighting the batter’s calm reaction after the edge.
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Rahul made full use of the lifeline, displaying excellent temperament and technique on a surface that offered little assistance to the bowlers. The right-hander mixed solid defence with elegant stroke play, producing trademark straight drives, on-drives, and flicks through the leg side to remain unbeaten on 37 at the interval.
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Earlier, India lost Yashasvi Jaiswal after the left-hander looked set for a substantial score. Having struck five boundaries during his fluent 24, Jaiswal fell to a soft dismissal when he attempted to glance a short-of-length delivery from Mohammad Saleem Safi down the leg side, only to feather it through to wicketkeeper Zazai.
Sai Sudharsan, meanwhile, continued to justify the backing he has received from head coach Gautam Gambhir. The left-hander looked composed at the crease and played several eye-catching strokes during his unbeaten 32. However, he too enjoyed a slice of luck when Rahmanullah Gurbaz spilt a straightforward catch at first slip off debutant spinner Nangeyalia Kharote.
WATCH – Yashasvi Jaiswal Departs For 24 Following Soft Dismissal Against Afghanistan
The pair added an important 55-run partnership after Jaiswal’s departure, helping India maintain control despite Afghanistan creating several opportunities. By lunch, the hosts had firmly shifted the momentum in their favour, leaving Afghanistan to reflect on what might have been a much more rewarding session.
