Manav Suthar's debut wicket leaves Afghanistan 28/1, trail India by 536
Synopsis
Debutant Manav Suthar needed just four deliveries to claim his first Test wicket, as India's declaration at 564/8 — built on Gill's 126, Rahul's century, and a Safi six-for — set up a commanding position. Afghanistan, staring at a 536-run deficit at tea, now face an unrelenting spin assault across two full sessions.
Key Takeaways
India declared at 564/8 in 127 overs , with a run-rate of 4.44 — among India's fourth fastest 500-plus totals in Test history.
Debutant Manav Suthar took his maiden Test wicket on his fourth ball , dismissing Abdul Malik for 16.
Afghanistan reached 28/1 in 5.4 overs at tea, trailing by 536 runs .
Mohammad Saleem Safi claimed 6-140 — a breakthrough performance after going wicketless in his previous four international outings.
Shubman Gill 126 , KL Rahul 100 , Sai Sudharsan 81 , Rishabh Pant 81 , and Washington Sundar 52* were the chief contributors for India.
India tightened their stranglehold on the one-off Test against Afghanistan at New Chandigarh on 7 June, declaring at 564/8 in 127 overs and then striking through debutant left-arm spinner Manav Suthar to reduce the visitors to 28/1 in 5.4 overs at tea on day two. Afghanistan trail by a daunting 536 runs, with the spin trial set to intensify in the final two sessions.
India's Lower Order Seals a Commanding Total
Washington Sundar anchored the lower order with a composed 52 not out — his sixth Test fifty — featuring a wristy flick for four off Mohammad Saleem Safi and a commanding pull for six. Mohammed Siraj, promoted up the order, provided late fireworks with a career-best 22 off 12 balls, hitting a six and four boundaries before Safi cleaned him up.
Safi, who had gone wicketless in his previous four international outings, finished with a breakthrough 6-140, using variable bounce and sharp lengths to discipline India's batters through a demanding second new ball spell. Despite that, India's innings run-rate stood at a healthy 4.44, placing the total among India's fourth fastest 500-plus totals in Test history.
The Foundation: Gill, Rahul, Sudharsan, Pant
India's innings was built on skipper Shubman Gill's authoritative 126 — a knock that carried added resonance as the New Chandigarh crowd's local favourite. KL Rahul contributed a century, while Sai Sudharsan and Rishabh Pant each added 81, laying the platform for the lower-order flourish that pushed India past 550.
Suthar Strikes on Debut
Gill timed the declaration to give his bowlers two full sessions, and the move paid off almost immediately. Afghanistan openers Abdul Malik and Sediqullah Atal began positively, finding boundaries against Siraj and Prasidh Krishna — Malik striking three fours in his 16-ball stay.
Gill then introduced Suthar just before tea, and the debutant delivered on his fourth ball in Tests. Malik attempted a sweep but top-edged, and a diving Siraj completed the catch at backward square to send Malik back for 16. Suthar's teammates rushed to embrace him as he celebrated his maiden international wicket. Atal remains unbeaten on 11.
What Lies Ahead
Afghanistan face a stern examination against India's spin attack across the remaining sessions. With a deficit of 536 runs and only one wicket standing between the hosts and a clean sweep of the top order, the post-tea session looms as potentially decisive. This is the first-ever one-off Test between the two nations on Indian soil, adding historical weight to what is shaping up as a one-sided contest.
Brief Scores: India 564/8 dec in 127 overs (Shubman Gill 126, KL Rahul 100; Mohammad Saleem Safi 6-140, Hashmatullah Shahidi 1-91) vs Afghanistan 28/1 in 5.4 overs (Abdul Malik 16; Manav Suthar 1-0). Afghanistan trail by 536 runs.
Point of View
Not a sentimental one. The more interesting subplot is Safi's six-wicket haul: Afghanistan's best bowler in the match has shown that India's lower-middle order remains vulnerable to disciplined seam bowling at sharp lengths. But with a 536-run deficit and no established spinner of comparable quality to Suthar or Sundar, Afghanistan's task is less about survival and more about avoiding an innings defeat before stumps on day three.
NationPress
25 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current match situation in the India vs Afghanistan one-off Test?
At tea on day two in New Chandigarh, Afghanistan are 28/1 in 5.4 overs, trailing India — who declared at 564/8 — by 536 runs. Debutant spinner Manav Suthar claimed the only wicket to fall.
Who took a wicket on debut for India in the Afghanistan Test?
Left-arm spinner Manav Suthar took his maiden Test wicket on his fourth delivery, dismissing Afghan opener Abdul Malik for 16. Malik top-edged a sweep and Mohammed Siraj took the catch at backward square leg.
How did Mohammad Saleem Safi perform for Afghanistan?
Safi delivered a breakthrough performance, claiming 6-140 — his best figures in international cricket after going wicketless in his previous four outings. He used variable bounce and sharp lengths to check India's scoring through the second new ball.
Who were the top scorers for India in their first innings?
Shubman Gill top-scored with 126, while KL Rahul contributed a century. Sai Sudharsan and Rishabh Pant each made 81, and Washington Sundar finished unbeaten on 52 to help India reach 564/8 declared.
Why is this Test historically significant?
This is a one-off Test between India and Afghanistan, and India's total of 564/8 is reportedly among the fourth fastest 500-plus scores in Indian Test history by run-rate. The match also marks Manav Suthar's debut for India.
