Gavaskar hails Afghanistan's heart despite India's 564/8 declaration
Synopsis
India declared at 564/8 but it was Afghanistan's bowlers who earned rare praise — Gavaskar called their new-ball fightback 'admirable', even as two missed DRS calls in a single over potentially cost them three or four wickets. Safi's spell and Shahidi's wicket of Pant showed a team punching above its weight, even in a losing position.
Key Takeaways
India declared their first innings at 564/8 on Day 2 of the one-off Test in New Delhi .
Sunil Gavaskar praised Afghanistan's use of the second new ball, calling their effort 'a lot of heart'.
Shubman Gill scored 126 and Rishabh Pant made 81 before Afghanistan pulled back, reducing India to 475/6 by lunch.
Mohammad Saleem Safi dismissed Gill and Dhruv Jurel ; captain Hashmatullah Shahidi took the wicket of Pant.
Two missed DRS reviews in the same over, according to Gavaskar, could have reduced India to around 450/8 instead of 475/6 .
Centuries from Gill and KL Rahul anchored India's commanding total.
Cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar praised Afghanistan's fighting spirit on Day 2 of the one-off Test in New Delhi, crediting the visitors for their disciplined use of the second new ball even as India declared their first innings at a commanding 564/8. The former India captain said Afghanistan's bowlers showed 'a lot of heart' in a session that could have spiralled out of control.
How Afghanistan Fought Back
India had resumed the day at 368/3, with skipper Shubman Gill extending his overnight century to 126 and Rishabh Pant contributing a fluent 81. Afghanistan's pacers, however, refused to capitulate — reducing India to 475/6 by lunch and denying the hosts a completely unchecked run-fest.
Mohammad Saleem Safi led the Afghan charge with the ball, dismissing both Gill and Dhruv Jurel in a probing new-ball spell. Captain Hashmatullah Shahidi chipped in with the prized wicket of Pant, ensuring Afghanistan remained competitive through the session.
What Gavaskar Said
'You could find yourself in a situation where you resume play at 368 for three and feel a little down as a bowling side. But what the Afghan boys showed was a lot of heart because they knew the second new ball was available, and they used it to very good effect,' Gavaskar said in a broadcast interview.
He added: 'Nevertheless, the way the Afghans went about their task was really admirable.'
The DRS Miss That Could Have Changed the Complexion
Gavaskar also pointed to a critical lapse in Afghanistan's use of the Decision Review System. According to him, two missed reviews in the same over proved costly — both Gill and Pant benefited from unreviewed on-field decisions, with wicketkeeper Afsar Zazai unable to convince Shahidi to challenge the calls.
'Maybe if they had been better with their reviews, they might have had a lot more wickets to show for their efforts… Had they taken those wickets when the ball was still new, they might have picked up a few more, and perhaps the score would not have been 475 for six, but rather 450-odd for eight, or thereabouts,' he noted.
India's Commanding Total
India's 564/8 declaration was anchored by centuries from Gill and KL Rahul, with Pant's aggressive 81 further reinforcing the hosts' dominance. The total places Afghanistan under immediate pressure as they prepare to bat in the one-off Test.
With India holding a massive first-innings lead, the match now hinges on whether Afghanistan's batters can replicate the resilience their bowlers showed on Day 2.
Point of View
Yet their decision-making under pressure — particularly the DRS mismanagement — remains a recurring vulnerability at Test level. Two missed reviews in one over is not a minor oversight; it is the difference between a competitive scoreline and a demoralising one. For a team still building Test credentials, those margins matter enormously. The bigger question is whether Afghanistan's batting can now match the resolve their pacers demonstrated — because without a substantial reply, the moral victory of the bowling fightback will count for little on the scorecard.
NationPress
10 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Sunil Gavaskar say about Afghanistan's performance in the India Test?
Gavaskar praised Afghanistan's use of the second new ball on Day 2, saying the visitors showed 'a lot of heart' by reducing India from 368/3 to 475/6 by lunch. He called their overall approach 'really admirable' despite India eventually declaring at 564/8.
What was India's final first-innings score in the one-off Test?
India declared their first innings at 564/8, built around centuries from Shubman Gill (126) and KL Rahul, along with Rishabh Pant's fluent 81.
Which Afghanistan bowlers took wickets on Day 2?
Mohammad Saleem Safi was the standout, dismissing Shubman Gill and Dhruv Jurel with the new ball. Captain Hashmatullah Shahidi also contributed by taking the wicket of Rishabh Pant.
Why did Gavaskar criticise Afghanistan's DRS usage?
Gavaskar pointed out that Afghanistan missed two reviews in the same over, both involving Gill and Pant. He argued that had those reviews been taken, Afghanistan could have reduced India to around 450/8 rather than 475/6, potentially changing the momentum of the session.
Who benefited from Afghanistan's missed DRS reviews?
Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant both benefited from unreviewed on-field decisions. Wicketkeeper Afsar Zazai reportedly could not convince captain Hashmatullah Shahidi to challenge the calls.
