India declared their first innings on 564-8 after centuries from KL Rahul and captain Shubman Gill, before debutant spinner Manav Suthar struck three times to leave Afghanistan on 113-5 at stumps on the second day of the one-off Test in New Chandigarh.
Afghanistan still trail by 451 runs, with Rahmat Shah unbeaten on 43 at the close. Rahul made 100, Gill scored 126 and Sai Sudharsan contributed 81 as India built a commanding total after electing to bat first.
A fourth-wicket partnership of 169 between Gill and Rishabh Pant, who made 81, laid the foundation for India's dominance. Washington Sundar remained unbeaten on 52, while Mohammed Siraj added a quickfire 22 as India declared after 127 overs.
Afghanistan fast bowler Mohammad Saleem produced the standout bowling performance for the tourists, claiming 6-140 in a tireless spell. The 23-year-old consistently exceeded 140 kilometres per hour and registered his maiden five-wicket haul in Test cricket.
Resuming on 368-3, India extended their advantage through Gill and Pant before Saleem broke the partnership by dismissing the Indian captain for 126. Pant added 31 runs to his overnight score before falling for 81, while Saleem also removed Dhruv Jurel, Manav Suthar and Siraj to complete a six-wicket haul.
Afghanistan's reply began poorly when debutant left-arm spinner Suthar dismissed Abdul Malik for 16 with only his fourth delivery in Test cricket. Prasidh Krishna then removed Sediqullah Atal for 17 before Suthar struck again to dismiss Rahmanullah Gurbaz for 12.
Rahmat Shah attempted to rebuild the innings alongside captain Hashmatullah Shahidi, but Krishna trapped Shahidi leg before wicket for 20. Suthar claimed his third wicket when he caught and bowled Afsar Zazai for three, leaving Afghanistan struggling at 113-5 by the end of the day.
India remain firmly in control of the match heading into the third day.







