India march ahead despite Saleem’s strikes, Pant misses out on century
Dominant Display Continues for India
The second morning of the Test match in New Chandigarh saw India continue their upward trajectory, building a formidable foundation against Afghanistan. Despite the loss of three key wickets, the hosts reached the lunch interval at 475 for 6, maintaining a healthy run rate and showcasing the depth of their batting lineup. With two capable bowling all-rounders in Washington Sundar and Manav Suthar at the crease, India remains in a position of significant authority.
Mohammad Saleem’s Spirited Spell
The narrative of the morning session was heavily influenced by the disciplined and aggressive bowling of Mohammad Saleem. As the standout performer for the Afghanistan attack, Saleem finished the session with impressive figures of 4-109. While Azmatullah Omarzai provided excellent support with the second new ball, creating consistent movement and pressure, it was Saleem who consistently forced the Indian batters into errors, particularly during the transition phases of the morning.
Rishabh Pant‘s Narrow Miss
A major talking point of the session was the dismissal of Rishabh Pant. The dynamic wicketkeeper-batter looked set for a significant three-figure score, playing with his trademark flair and aggression. However, his pursuit of quick runs ended prematurely when he holed out at long-off for 81. His dismissal, which came shortly after the introduction of spin, denied him the chance at a century and marked a turning point in the session’s momentum.
Earlier in the morning, Pant had engaged in a fascinating battle with the Afghan bowlers. After facing a maiden over from Ziaur Rahman, he immediately shifted gears, charging down the pitch to pick up vital boundaries. Despite a lucky escape in the 101st over due to a run-out chance, he eventually succumbed to the mounting pressure, falling to the bowling of Hashmatullah Shahidi.
Strategic Struggles for Afghanistan
Afghanistan’s day began with intent, as they utilized the new ball early in the second over of the morning. There was palpable tension in the field as Omarzai consistently troubled the Indian duo of Shubman Gill and Pant. In a critical moment during the 89th over, Afghanistan had strong shouts for lbw against both batters. Unfortunately for the fielding side, neither was challenged, and with only one review remaining, the opportunities slipped away.
Shubman Gill, who had looked composed throughout his stay, added 23 runs to his overnight total before being dismissed by Saleem. His departure, caught behind at the stroke of drinks, underscored Saleem’s ability to pull back his length and entice the batter into a false shot. Dhruv Jurel also showed glimpses of promise before falling to a sharp, incoming delivery from Saleem that clipped the top of his off-stump.
Looking Ahead to the Afternoon
As the players headed into the lunch break, the focus shifted to how India would approach the second half of the day. Debutant Manav Suthar looked comfortable during his brief stay, surviving a miscued shot that narrowly evaded mid-on. Alongside Washington Sundar, he will aim to push India past the 500-run mark, hoping to bat Afghanistan out of the contest.
For Afghanistan, the morning session provided a blueprint for how to contain the Indian batting order. By maintaining disciplined lines and forcing the batters to play through the line, they found success where previous bowlers had struggled. The afternoon session will likely rely heavily on the spin department to continue the work started by Saleem and Shahidi. With 475 runs on the board and a batting-friendly surface, India remains firmly in the driver’s seat as the Test match progresses.
Shaan Cooper is a cricket journalist and SEO content writer from Bengaluru who focuses on breaking cricket news, live match coverage, and player performance stories. Her writing style combines fast-paced reporting with detailed cricket knowledge tailored for digital sports platforms.
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