India march ahead despite Saleem’s strikes, Pant misses out on century
An Engaging Session in New Chandigarh
The second morning of the Test match in New Chandigarh provided plenty of drama as India continued their dominance against Afghanistan. Despite losing three key wickets during the session, India maintained a healthy run rate, reaching 475 for 6 by the time the players headed in for lunch. While the hosts remain in a commanding position, the session was defined by the tenacity of the Afghan bowling attack, particularly Mohammad Saleem.
The Battle of the New Ball
Afghanistan began the day with a clear intent, taking the new ball as early as the second over. Azmatullah Omarzai was particularly impressive, finding movement off the pitch and through the air. Although he remained wicketless, his spell set the tone for a challenging morning for the Indian batters. Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant were tested early, with Omarzai coming close to securing breakthroughs in the 89th over. Remarkably, Afghanistan opted not to use their remaining review, allowing both batters to survive close calls.
The Brilliance and Frustration of Rishabh Pant
Rishabh Pant looked in fine touch, attacking the bowling early on. After a cautious start, he charged at the bowlers to find boundaries, showcasing his trademark aggression. However, his quest for a century was cut short. After surviving a run-out scare due to a lapse in concentration, Pant eventually succumbed to the spin of Hashmatullah Shahidi. Attempting to clear the boundary at long-off, he holed out, departing for a well-made 81.
Mohammad Saleem’s Impact
Mohammad Saleem emerged as the standout performer for the Afghan side. Despite being expensive, conceding 42 runs in his seven morning overs, his ability to break partnerships proved vital. Saleem’s persistent line and length troubled Shubman Gill, who had added 23 to his overnight score before edging one to the wicketkeeper shortly after the drinks break. Later in the session, Saleem produced a beautiful delivery that nipped back to clean bowl Dhruv Jurel, who had just helped push India past the 450-run mark.
Settling into the Session
Following the departure of the set batters, the responsibility fell to the lower order. Debutant Manav Suthar showed great composure, surviving a tricky moment when he miscued a shot off Shahidi that luckily flew wide of mid-on. Alongside Washington Sundar, Suthar managed to navigate the remaining overs until lunch, ensuring India did not lose further ground.
Looking Ahead
As the match progresses, India finds itself in a strong position, having scored 107 runs in 25 overs during the morning session at a healthy run rate of 4.28. The pitch in New Chandigarh continues to offer something for both the seamers and the spinners, keeping the contest alive. With two bowling all-rounders currently at the crease, India will be looking to push their total toward a dominant declaration figure, while Afghanistan will be keen to wrap up the tail as quickly as possible when play resumes after the break.
The session served as a reminder of the unpredictability of Test cricket, where even a side in control can be rattled by a disciplined bowling spell. Fans can expect a fascinating afternoon session as the Afghan spinners look to exploit the conditions further.
