Debutant left-arm spinner Manav Suthar claimed a stunning 6/33 in 22 overs to bowl Afghanistan out for 152 in their first innings on Day 3 of the one-off Test at the New PCA Stadium, New Chandigarh, handing India a commanding 412-run first-innings lead. After India enforced the follow-on, Afghanistan's openers showed greater resolve, reaching 18/0 in 4 overs at the lunch break on Monday, 8 June.

Suthar's Historic Debut Haul

Afghanistan had resumed the morning session at 113/5, but the collapse that followed was swift. Prasidh Krishna struck first, castling Azmatullah Omarzai for a duck to reduce Afghanistan to 118/6. Suthar then took centre stage, producing a spell that will be remembered long after this fixture. His figures of 6/33 represent the second-best bowling figures by an Indian on Test debut — a landmark achievement for the young spinner in his very first appearance at the highest level.

The pick of his wickets was the dismissal of Rahmat Shah for 60. Suthar floated a delivery that dipped sharply as Rahmat committed to a sweep, crashing into the stumps to bring up the spinner's maiden five-wicket haul in Test cricket. He added the wicket of Mohammad Saleem Safi shortly after to complete his six-for. Washington Sundar wrapped up the innings by removing Ziaur Rahman Sharifi.

Rahmat Shah's Lone Stand

Rahmat Shah's innings of 60 was the one bright spot for Afghanistan in a largely dismal batting display. The right-hander became the first Afghanistan batter to score a Test fifty against India and had already made history on Day 2 as the first Afghanistan player to cross 1,000 Test runs. He found brief support from Sharafuddin Ashraf, who batted through a visible injury before edging behind to Rishabh Pant off Suthar's bowling — a decision overturned on India's successful review.

India's Dominant First Innings

India's declared total of 564/8 in 127 overs was built on contributions across the order. Shubman Gill top-scored with 126, while KL Rahul added a composed 100. Rishabh Pant and Sai Sudharsan both contributed 81, and Washington Sundar remained unbeaten on 52. Mohammad Saleem Safi was the pick of Afghanistan's bowlers, claiming 6/140 in a losing cause.

Afghanistan's Follow-On: A Different Approach

India enforced the follow-on immediately and handed the new ball to Suthar. This time, Afghanistan's openers refused to be intimidated. Sediqullah Atal adopted an aggressive counter-attacking approach, surviving an early lbw appeal and a chance at short leg before striking a six over long-on and a boundary over mid-off. He raced to 16 off 12 deliveries. Abdul Malik held firm at the other end, and the pair negotiated the pre-lunch period without loss. Afghanistan closed the session at 18/0 in 4 overs, still trailing by 394 runs, but showing markedly more intent than in their first innings.

With two full sessions remaining on Day 3 and India holding a near-insurmountable lead, the question is no longer whether India will win, but how quickly they can wrap up the match.