NEW CHANDIGARH, JUN 8 (IANS): India registered their most dominant Test triumph in history, defeating Afghanistan by an innings and 300 runs inside three days. The emphatic result was built on commanding centuries from Shubman Gill and KL Rahul, alongside a dream debut for left-arm spinner Manav Suthar, who claimed seven wickets across the match.
India’s dominance began with a colossal first-innings total of 564/8 declared. After Afghanistan opted to bowl, Rahul anchored the innings with a composed 100 off 165 balls, weathering early movement before taking control. Gill, leading from the front, produced a majestic 126 off 177 balls, striking 15 fours and a six in an innings that blended elegance with authority. Their partnership ensured India tightened their grip from the outset.
The middle order added further weight. Sai Sudharsan continued his rise with a fluent 81, while Rishabh Pant entertained with an aggressive 81 featuring six boundaries and three sixes. Washington Sundar provided the finishing touches with an unbeaten 52, while Suthar and Mohammed Siraj chipped in with useful lower-order runs. Afghanistan’s lone bright spot was Mohammad Saleem Safi, who bowled tirelessly to claim 6/140 but lacked support from the rest of the attack.
Facing a mountain of runs, Afghanistan’s first innings faltered. Opener Abdul Malik and Sediqullah Atal showed brief resistance, but Rahmat Shah was the only substantial contributor with a determined 60 off 135 balls. The innings, however, belonged to debutant Suthar, who exploited the surface expertly with variations in pace and trajectory. He dismissed six batters, finishing with outstanding figures of 6/33 from 22 overs. Prasidh Krishna supported with 3/37 as Afghanistan were bowled out for 152.
With a lead of 412, Gill enforced the follow-on. Afghanistan began positively, racing to 42 without loss through Atal (42) and Rahmanullah Gurbaz (24). Their enterprising stand briefly delayed India’s march, but once Siraj trapped Abdul Malik lbw, the innings unraveled. Kuldeep Yadav removed Gurbaz, while Sundar produced a decisive spell after tea, dismissing Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi, and Azmatullah Omarzai. His control and drift tightened the screws as Afghanistan lost four wickets for just 24 runs.
Suthar added another scalp to cap his memorable debut, trapping Afsar Zazai lbw. Kuldeep then wrapped up the tail with three wickets, including the final dismissal of Saleem Safi. Injured Sharafuddin Ashraf did not bat, leaving Afghanistan all out for 112 in 35.5 overs.
Sundar’s all-round brilliance—52 runs and five wickets—underlined his impact. Kuldeep finished with 3/30, while Siraj and Suthar chipped in with crucial breakthroughs. India’s victory margin of an innings and 300 runs eclipsed all previous records, showcasing their depth and dominance across departments.
Gill and Rahul’s centuries, Sudharsan and Pant’s contributions, Sundar’s dual impact, and Suthar’s sensational debut ensured India controlled every phase of the contest. For Afghanistan, Rahmat Shah’s first-innings resistance and Atal’s second-innings fight were rare positives in an otherwise one-sided affair.
India’s relentless batting depth and varied bowling attack highlighted the gulf between the two sides, as the hosts showcased their superiority with both bat and ball. The record-breaking win reinforced India’s stature in Test cricket, marking a historic milestone in their journey.
Brief Scores: India 564/8 dec in 127 overs (Shubman Gill 126, KL Rahul 100, Sai Sudharsan 81, Rishabh Pant 81, Washington Sundar 52*; Mohammad Saleem Safi 6-140) beat Afghanistan 152 in 58.4 overs (Rahmat Shah 60; Manav Suthar 6-33, Prasidh Krishna 3-37) and 112 in 35.5 overs (Sediqullah Atal 42, Rahmanullah Gurbaz 24; Washington Sundar 4-36, Kuldeep Yadav 3-30, Manav Suthar 1-29) by an innings and 300 runs.
