India scripted their largest-ever Test victory on Sunday, 8 June, overwhelming Afghanistan by an innings and 300 runs inside three days at New Chandigarh. Centuries from Shubman Gill and KL Rahul, a dominant team total of 564/8 declared, and a stunning debut from left-arm spinner Manav Suthar combined to produce the most comprehensive performance in Indian Test history by margin.

India's Batting Masterclass

After Afghanistan opted to bowl, KL Rahul anchored the innings with a measured 100 off 165 deliveries, absorbing early movement before asserting control. Captain Shubman Gill complemented him with a majestic 126 off 177 balls, laced with 15 fours and a six, blending authority with elegance to underline his growing stature in Test cricket.

Sai Sudharsan continued his impressive rise with a fluent 81, while Rishabh Pant entertained with an aggressive 81 featuring six boundaries and three sixes. Washington Sundar then supplied the finishing touches with an unbeaten 52, with Manav Suthar and Mohammed Siraj chipping in lower down. India eventually declared on 564 for 8 in 127 overs. The lone Afghan bright spot was Mohammad Saleem Safi, who claimed a hard-working 6 for 140.

Suthar's Stunning Debut

Facing a deficit of 412 runs, Afghanistan's first innings never gathered momentum. Rahmat Shah alone offered sustained resistance with a determined 60 off 135 deliveries, but wickets fell regularly around him. The innings was defined by debutant Manav Suthar, who exploited the surface expertly with variations in pace and trajectory. He dismissed Abdul Malik, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Rahmat Shah, Afsar Zazai, Sharafuddin Ashraf, and Saleem Safi to finish with outstanding figures of 6 for 33 from 22 overs. Prasidh Krishna supported admirably with 3 for 37 as Afghanistan were bundled out for 152.

Follow-On and Afghanistan's Collapse

Gill enforced the follow-on without hesitation. Afghanistan's response was initially more spirited — Sediqullah Atal struck an enterprising 42 and Rahmanullah Gurbaz contributed a brisk 24 as the visitors raced to 42 without loss, briefly forcing India to work harder. The opening stand was Afghanistan's best passage of the entire match.

The breakthrough came through Mohammed Siraj, who trapped Abdul Malik lbw. Once the first wicket fell, the innings unravelled rapidly. Kuldeep Yadav removed Gurbaz, and Washington Sundar produced a decisive post-tea spell, dismissing Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi, and Azmatullah Omarzai while extracting consistent drift and turn. Afghanistan lost four wickets for just 24 runs in the middle session. Suthar trapped Afsar Zazai lbw to add to his match tally, and Kuldeep wrapped up the tail with three wickets. Sharafuddin Ashraf, nursing an injury, did not bat, and Afghanistan were dismissed for 112 in 35.5 overs.

Match-Defining Numbers

Sundar finished the second innings with 4 for 36 and ended the match with five wickets alongside his half-century, cementing his all-round impact. Kuldeep returned 3 for 30, while Siraj and Suthar added one wicket each. Suthar's match figures of 7 wickets on debut mark him as one to watch at the highest level. This victory surpasses all previous Indian Test wins by margin, showcasing the depth and relentlessness of a side that dominated every phase from the first session to the last.

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) by an innings and 300 runs.