IND vs AFG One-Off Test 2026 Match Day 1 Highlights

The one-off Test between India and Afghanistan at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur (New Chandigarh) is a landmark fixture in the Afghanistan Tour of India 2026.

Shubman Gill leads India for the first time in a Test match, while Hashmatullah Shahidi captains a determined Afghanistan side. The match began on June 6, with India winning the toss under clear skies and choosing to bat first on what looked a true, flat pitch.

Day 1 Highlights – India bat first at Mullanpur (June 6, 2026)

Session 1 & 2: India Reach 155/1 After 37 Overs

India’s openers KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal walked out to bat on a warm, sunny morning in Mullanpur. Afghanistan’s pacers, Ziaur Rahman Sharifi and Azmatullah Omarzai, were tight in the opening exchanges, keeping things economical.

Key Day 1 Highlights:

• India won the toss under clear skies and chose to bat, a decision that looked astute on the flat Mullanpur track
• Jaiswal and Rahul put on a solid 41-run opening stand off 72 balls before Jaiswal was caught behind off Mohammad Saleem Safi in the 12th over
• Sai Sudharsan came in at number three and immediately looked assured, striking the ball cleanly through the off side
• Rahul and Sudharsan then forged an unbroken 114-run partnership for the second wicket off just 150 balls
• At stumps of Session 2, India were comfortably placed at 155/1 after 37 overs at a run rate of 4.19
• Afghanistan were disciplined in their approach but could not break through the Rahul–Sudharsan stand after the early wicket

Day 1 Session 2 Scorecard – India 1st Innings: 155/1 (37 Overs)

Batting

Yet to bat: Shubman Gill (c), Rishabh Pant (wk), Dhruv Jurel, Washington Sundar, Manav Suthar, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna

Bowling

Fall of Wickets: Yashasvi Jaiswal — 41/1 (Over 11.6)

Partnerships

Day 1 Bowling Analysis – Afghanistan’s Performance

Key Bowling Observations:

• Azmatullah Omarzai was the most economical bowler on Day 1, conceding just 3.10 runs per over across 10 overs with 3 maidens — a superb effort to contain India’s free-flowing batters
• Ziaur Rahman Sharifi bowled steadily with 2 maidens in 9 overs, keeping Rahul quiet with a 40-ball spell in the first partnership
• Mohammad Saleem Safi picked up the only wicket of the day, dismissing a well-set Jaiswal for 24 with a catch to Afsar Zazai
• Nangeyalia Kharote was the most expensive bowler (6.30 ECO), going for 44 runs in 7 overs as Sudharsan targeted him in the afternoon session
• Captain Hashmatullah Shahidi even rolled his arm over for 3 overs of off-spin, conceding just 6 runs — illustrating Afghanistan’s inventive use of resources

KL Rahul – Anchor of India’s First Innings

KL Rahul’s unbeaten 63 off 108 balls was the backbone of India’s solid Day 1. His innings featured:

• 8 fours in a controlled, disciplined knock
• A strike rate of 58.33 — precisely what was needed against tight Afghan bowling
• A crucial 40-ball first-session spell alongside Jaiswal while Omarzai and Sharifi were fresh
• A commanding second-session partnership of 114 runs with Sudharsan to see India to a dominant position

Sai Sudharsan – Bright Star at Number Three

Sai Sudharsan’s 65 off 83 balls was the highlight innings of Day 1, announcing himself boldly in Test cricket:

• 11 fours in an attacking, yet controlled, display
• Strike rate of 78.31 showed positive intent
• Came in under pressure after Jaiswal’s dismissal and immediately took charge
• Targeted Kharote in particular during his knock, dominating the leg-side and driving straight

Days 2–5 Highlights

Match is currently in progress as of Day 1, Session 2. This section will be updated at the end of each day’s play.

India vs Afghanistan One-Off Test 2026 Match Info at a Glance

The India vs Afghanistan One-Off Test 2026 brings together two competitive sides in a historic red-ball encounter. Check the key match details, including the venue, dates, timings, teams, and other essential information at a glance.

India vs Afghanistan Test 2026 – Squad & Playing XI

India Playing XI

Bench: Nitish Kumar Reddy, Gurnoor Brar, Harsh Dubey, Devdutt Padikkal

Support Staff: Gautam Gambhir (Head Coach), Ryan ten Doeschate, T Dilip, Morne Morkel, Sitanshu Kotak, Sairaj Bahutule

Afghanistan Playing XI

Bench: Qais Ahmad, Bilal Sami, Rahmanullah, Ikram Alikhil

Support Staff: Richard Pybus (Head Coach), Hamid Hassan, Andrew Puttick

Key Storylines to Watch in India vs Afghanistan Test 2026

• Shubman Gill’s Test captaincy debut — a new era begins for Indian Test cricket
• Rishabh Pant’s form with the bat — always explosive when set on flat tracks
• Kuldeep Yadav vs Afghan batters — wrist spin could be decisive on a turning Mullanpur surface
• Afghanistan’s Test resilience — can they compete over five days against a full-strength India?
• Washington Sundar & Manav Suthar — spin duo could be key in India’s bowling plans
• Rahmanullah Gurbaz — Afghanistan’s most dangerous batter, capable of playing a counter-attacking innings

Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur Venue

• City: Mullanpur, New Chandigarh (near Mohali), Punjab, India
• Capacity: 40,000
• Coordinates: 30.779°N, 76.724°E
• Pitch character: Flat, normal grass cover — expected to assist spinners from Day 3 onwards
• Weather on Day 1: Clear skies, hot conditions

Conclusion: India Dominate Day 1 Against Afghanistan in Historic Mullanpur Test

India’s commanding start to the one-off Test against Afghanistan at Mullanpur sets the tone for what promises to be a fascinating contest.

KL Rahul’s measured 63* and Sai Sudharsan’s fluent 65* have placed India in a position of strength at 155/1.

While Afghanistan bowled with discipline, India’s batting depth suggests a massive first-innings total is on the cards. All eyes now turn to Shubman Gill’s captaincy decisions and whether Afghanistan can stage a historic fightback over the remaining four days.