Day 1 of the one-off Test between India and Afghanistan ended with the hosts firmly in command, thanks to a commanding batting display from their top order. Shubman Gill and KL Rahul both converted their starts into centuries, while Sai Sudharsan and Rishabh Pant added valuable half-centuries to put India in a strong position at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh. India’s decision to bat first after winning the toss looked justified almost immediately. The surface offered some assistance early on, but the Indian batters showed the patience and discipline required for red-ball cricket.

Manav Suthar also made his India Test debut in whites, adding another talking point to a day that belonged largely to the batting group. KL Rahul set the tone with a composed and technically sound innings, bringing up his 12th Test century and his third hundred on home soil. However, his stay ended in frustrating fashion when he was dismissed on the very next delivery after reaching the milestone. Rahul later admitted that the biggest challenge was adjusting from the fast-paced IPL environment to the demands of Test cricket in a matter of days.

“Really happy that I could get some time in the middle. To make that switch from T20 to Test cricket in a matter of couple of days was the most pleasing thing. It was extremely hot, I was exhausted. It wasn’t coming on at all. It was really slow and low, which we did expect. It was pretty similar in the training as well.”

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He also spoke about the need to trust his natural game rather than overthink conditions or shot selection. “I had to make that switch of letting the ball go and getting used to the conditions. Training did help a lot. I did feel the urge to play few shots and I don’t think it is a bad thing. It’s something I have been telling myself as well. Sometimes you sit and over analyze. I try and not restrict my shots.”

At the other end, Shubman Gill continued his excellent run of form and remained unbeaten on 103 at stumps. The India captain looked assured throughout his innings, controlling the tempo and keeping the scoreboard moving. Rishabh Pant, in his 50th Test, joined him at the crease and was batting on 50, giving India even more momentum heading into the second day.

Sai Sudharsan was another bright spot for India, playing with confidence before falling short of a well-deserved century on 81. His innings, along with the efforts of Rahul and Gill, showed the depth in India’s batting lineup and the composure of the team’s new generation.

Rahul also assessed the pitch conditions, believing the surface would only become more challenging for Afghanistan as the match progressed. He felt the early signs pointed to increasing help for both seamers and spinners, especially with cracks beginning to open and uneven bounce likely to become more prominent.

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“No, I think it will assist a bit of good bowling. I think even the fast bowlers will be in the game because the cracks are opening up and the soil is not really hard. So Washi and Manav, if they are bowling to right-handers and left-handers respectively, I think the rough will be in play and hopefully we can build that pressure and put the balls in the right areas and get some wickets early on.”

With three spinners in the XI and India already in control, the hosts appear well placed to dictate the Test from here.