Gill's 126 and Pant's 81 take India to 475/6 vs Afghanistan at lunch
Synopsis
Gill's 126 and Pant's 81 put India in command at 475/6 on Day 2, but Afghanistan's DRS blunders are the real story — replays showed both batters were dismissible, yet the reviews were never taken. Safi's four-wicket haul offered a late consolation, but the missed opportunities could define the match.
Key Takeaways
Shubman Gill scored 126 off 177 balls before being dismissed by Mohammad Saleem Safi on Day 2 .
Rishabh Pant added 81 off 121 balls , falling to Afghanistan skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi's first Test wicket.
India reached 475/6 in 110 overs at lunch, having added 107 runs in the morning session.
Mohammad Saleem Safi was Afghanistan's best bowler, finishing with 4 wickets for 109 runs .
Afghanistan's failure to take DRS on two clear dismissals — Gill (lbw) and Pant (edge) — proved a significant turning point.
Washington Sundar (14 not out) and debutant Manav Suthar (9 not out) were unbeaten at lunch.
Shubman Gill struck a commanding 126 off 177 balls and Rishabh Pant added a fluent 81 off 121 balls as India reached 475/6 in 110 overs at lunch on Day 2 of the one-off Test against Afghanistan in New Chandigarh on 7 June. Afghanistan clawed back with three wickets in the morning session, but India retain a dominant position in the contest.
Gill's Commanding Knock
Gill, who resumed overnight on an unbeaten 103, extended his innings with authority before being dismissed by Mohammad Saleem Safi, who produced a fiery and disciplined spell with pace and movement using the second new ball. Safi finished as Afghanistan's standout performer, removing both Gill and Dhruv Jurel in quick succession to claim 4 wickets for 109 runs.
Jurel looked positive, striking four boundaries in a brisk 19 off 20 balls, before misjudging a nip-backer that castled him. His departure was one of three wickets to fall in a session that swung briefly in Afghanistan's favour.
Pant Falls Short of Century, Mirrors Sudharsan's Fate
Pant mixed caution with aggression in a composed knock, but was dismissed by Afghanistan skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi — who claimed his first Test wicket — when he lured the left-hander into a mistimed lofted stroke, with mid-off taking a simple catch. Notably, Pant's dismissal mirrored that of Sai Sudharsan from the previous day: both left-handers fell short of centuries after building promising fifties.
Afghanistan's DRS Woes Prove Costly
Afghanistan could have made further inroads had their decision-making with the Decision Review System been sharper. Gill survived a close lbw appeal and Pant edged one behind — both instances going unchallenged despite replays suggesting both batters were out. Keeper Afsar Zazai struggled to convince Shahidi to commit to the crucial DRS calls, a lapse that may have materially altered the innings.
Sundar and Suthar Steady the Ship
With the ball seaming and turning in the latter half of the session, debutant Manav Suthar and Washington Sundar ensured no further damage, reaching lunch unbeaten on 9 and 14 not out respectively, each hitting two boundaries. India's overall tally of 107 runs in the morning session reflects a slight easing of their earlier dominance, though their lead remains substantial.
What to Watch in the Afternoon
With the pitch offering assistance to both seamers and spinners, India will look to push beyond 500 before declaring. Afghanistan, meanwhile, must sharpen their DRS strategy and hope Safi can continue his probing spell with the new ball. KL Rahul's century on Day 1 and Gill's hundred have already set a high bar for India's first innings total.
Brief Scores: India 475/6 in 110 overs (Shubman Gill 126, KL Rahul 100; Mohammad Saleem Safi 4-109, Hashmatullah Shahidi 1-70) vs Afghanistan.
Point of View
But Afghanistan's DRS mismanagement is the subplot that could haunt them. Two clear dismissals — Gill's lbw and Pant's edge — went unchallenged, gifting India a combined 80-plus additional runs at a critical juncture. In a one-off Test where every session matters, those wasted reviews may well be the difference between a competitive first-innings deficit and a demoralising one. Safi's four-wicket haul shows Afghanistan have the skill to threaten; the question is whether the support structure around him — captaincy decisions, keeper communication, review discipline — can match that ability.
NationPress
12 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the score in the India vs Afghanistan one-off Test on Day 2?
India reached 475/6 in 110 overs at lunch on Day 2 of the one-off Test in New Chandigarh on 7 June. Shubman Gill (126) and KL Rahul (100) were the top scorers, with Washington Sundar and debutant Manav Suthar unbeaten at the break.
How many runs did Shubman Gill score against Afghanistan?
Shubman Gill scored 126 off 177 balls, resuming from an overnight score of 103 not out. He was eventually dismissed by Mohammad Saleem Safi, who bowled a disciplined spell with the second new ball.
Why did Afghanistan miss key DRS opportunities against India?
Afghanistan failed to review two apparent dismissals — a close lbw shout against Gill and an edge from Pant behind the wicket — both of which replays suggested were out. Keeper Afsar Zazai reportedly struggled to convince skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi to take the reviews, a lapse that cost Afghanistan crucial wickets.
Who took the most wickets for Afghanistan in India's innings so far?
Mohammad Saleem Safi was Afghanistan's standout bowler, claiming 4 wickets for 109 runs. He dismissed both Shubman Gill and Dhruv Jurel in quick succession using pace and movement with the second new ball.
Who is Manav Suthar and why is he significant in this Test?
Manav Suthar is a debutant in this one-off Test against Afghanistan. He was unbeaten on 9 at lunch on Day 2, alongside Washington Sundar, helping India avoid further damage after Afghanistan took three wickets in the morning session.
