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Cricket fans witnessed a masterclass in modern Test batting as India asserted absolute control over Afghanistan on Day 1 of the high-profile, one-off Test match. Taking place at the picturesque Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh, the clash began with Indian captain Shubman Gill winning the toss and opting to bat. By the time stumps were drawn on June 06, 2026, the decision proved a masterstroke, leaving the Afghan bowling attack exhausted and searching for answers against a formidable Indian batting lineup.
Shubman Gill dazzles with a stylish century against Afghanistan on Day 1
The day undoubtedly belonged to the skipper himself. Walking in at the fall of Sai Sudharsan‘s wicket, Gill put on a spectacular exhibition of elegant strokeplay and ironclad composure. Gill paced his innings beautifully, bringing up his half-century in just 68 deliveries before shifting gears with effortless grace.
The magical moment arrived in the 83rd over of the day off the bowling of Mohammad Saleem. Sitting on 99, Gill calmly flicked a leg-side delivery through square leg for a single. The milestone marked his 11th Test century, a sensational knock compiled off 138 balls, laced with 11 crisp fours and a towering six.
Taking off his helmet to soak in the applause from the New Chandigarh crowd, Gill was greeted with a warm embrace from his partner, Rishabh Pant. Gill remained unblemished at the close of play, finishing Day 1 unbeaten on 103 runs from 143 balls, showcasing why he is considered the vanguard of India’s new generation of Test greats.
India’s dominant batting performance end Day 1 of Mullanpur Test on a high
While Gill stole the headlines, India’s collective batting display was a synchronized effort that kept the run rate hovering at an aggressive 4.32 runs per over. The day began with a minor stutter when opener Yashasvi Jaiswal fell cheap for 24, caught behind by Afsar Zazai off Saleem’s bowling. However, that was one of the few celebrations the Afghan contingent enjoyed.
KL Rahul anchored the top order with a gritty, technically flawless century. Rahul played the ideal foil to his partners, grinding out 100 runs from 165 deliveries, featuring 11 fours, before eventually mistiming a shot to Rahmanullah Gurbaz off Ziaur Rahman. On the other hand, youngster Sudharsan injected pure momentum into the afternoon session, smashing a quick-fire 81 off 104 balls, including 13 elegant fours, before becoming Saleem’s second victim of the day.
Afghanistan’s bowlers struggled to maintain discipline on a surface that offered minimal assistance. Saleem was the pick of the visitors’ attack, finishing the day with figures of 2 for 67 in his 13 overs, while Rahman picked up 1 for 61. Heavy workloads were shared by Nangeyalia Kharotewho bowled 20 tiring overs for 95 runs, and captain Hashmatullah Shahidiwho even rolled his arm over for 17 overs to stem the flow of runs.
By the time the umpires called Stumps on Day 1, India sat comfortably at a menacing 368/3 after 85 overs. Seamlessly filling the vacuum left by Rahul’s departure, Rishabh Pant brought up his own aggressive half-century (50* off 70 balls, hitting 2 fours and 3 sixes) right before the close of play. With Gill and Pant well-set in an active 121-run partnership, India have successfully engineered a launchpad to bat Afghanistan completely out of the game on Day 2.
Also READ: Fans applaud KL Rahul’s gritty century against Afghanistan on Day 1 of one-off Test
Here’s how fans reacted:
Day 1, Stumps 📍
A perfect first day for India. Batters made the most of excellent batting conditions 🙌🏏#INDvAFG #TeamIndia #ShubmanGill pic.twitter.com/E8Y2BgRHgL
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) June 6, 2026
CENTURY NO. 11 FOR SHUBMAN GILL 👑
◾ Shubman Gill brings up his 11th Test hundred – Reaches the milestone in just 138 balls 🔥#INDvAFG
◾ Celebrates a century at his home ground – Pant was the first to congratulate his skipper ❤️
◾ 20 int’l hundreds before the age of 27 🤯 pic.twitter.com/XiHFELQL3m— Yogesh Goswami (@yogeshgoswami_) June 6, 2026
SHUBMAN GILL HAS MOST HUNDREDS FOR INDIA IN THE WTC HISTORY.
– The celebrations from his father and the dugout. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/NHvDZhxiId
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) June 6, 2026
𝗦𝗵𝘂𝗯𝗺𝗮𝗻 𝗚𝗶𝗹𝗹 in Test Cricket
As a Captain – 6 Centuries (15 Innings)*
As a Player – 5 Centuries (59 Innings) pic.twitter.com/ahR6RbKflJ— 𝑺𝒉𝒆𝒃𝒂𝒔 (@Shebas_10dulkar) June 6, 2026
🚨 6TH HUNDREDS FOR SHUBMAN GILL IN 9 TESTS AS CAPTAIN 🚨
– Captain Shubman Gill is rulling in Test cricket..!!! 🔥🫡pic.twitter.com/rb2ZzCIkSJ
— Tanuj (@ImTanujSingh) June 6, 2026
Century for captain Shubman Gill
After Virat Kohli, only he has the potential to rule Test cricket for the next decade. pic.twitter.com/5SMvHhYnQb
— Fearless (@Hell373969) June 6, 2026
CENTURY FOR PRINCE SHUBMAN GILL 🔥
20 INTERNATIONAL HUNDREDS AT THE AGE OF 26 🥶
– Bro became a beast in Test cricket after becoming Captain 🗿
– LOOK AT THE STANDING OVATION 🥶 pic.twitter.com/sDreno47gJ
— Jeet (@JeetN25) June 6, 2026
Captain Shubman Gill leading from the front! 🇮🇳💪
He is continuing his incredible consistency from IPL to Test cricket. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/LSQguFHAWG
— Saabir Zafar (@Saabir_Saabu01) June 6, 2026
Shubman gill scored his 20th international at the age of just 26 🤯
Bro will cook big in upcoming years 🔥 pic.twitter.com/2iDz5F2UI6
— Princeyy (@HarshitFlickss) June 6, 2026
Look at the smile on Shubman Gill father face after his century a truly proud father moment. pic.twitter.com/UGDaJOK0lu
— MARCUS (@MARCUS907935) June 6, 2026
Skipper. Centurion. Local boy. 🌟
Frames from a very special ton from Shubman Gill 📸 pic.twitter.com/rHcRhxKJrE
— Jay Sri Ram 🏹 (@JayhoSanathan) June 6, 2026
Also READ: Here’s why Devdutt Padikkal is not playing today’s game against Afghanistan in the one-off Test
