Afghanistan's star batter Rahmat Shah created history on Day 2 of the ongoing one-off Test against the India National Cricket Team. Playing at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh on Sunday, June 7, the right-handed batter achieved a monumental feat by becoming the first-ever Afghanistan player to score 1,000 runs in Test cricket.
The landmark moment arrived in style with a boundary against the Indian bowling attack. Facing Indian spinner Manav Suthar, Rahmat attempted to drive a delivery that was pitched outside the off stump through the covers. However, the ball took a thick inside edge, fortunately missing the leg stump before racing away toward the fine-leg boundary.
Because the Indian fielding side had no fielder stationed at fine leg, the ball comfortably crossed the boundary ropes. This lucky but historic boundary allowed Rahmat to officially cross the 1,000-run mark, cementing his legacy as the first Afghan cricketer to reach this major milestone in the longest format of the game.
Meanwhile, it was a highly impressive debut for left-arm spin-bowling all-rounder Manav Suthar, who finally earned his spot in the Indian side after a long and grueling domestic grind. The debutant made the ball talk on Day 2 of the clash, claiming two of the first three wickets to fall. Suthar wasted no time making his mark, securing his maiden Test wicket by removing Afghanistan opener Abdul Malik in the very first over of his international career.
Suthar consistently troubled the batters with sharp turn, extracting square spin from the pitch. Malik attempted to counter this with a sweep shot but only managed a thick edge that flew toward the fine-leg region. Fast bowler Mohammed Siraj successfully judged and took the catch, safely securing the ball despite KL Rahul coming into his line of vision while running back from the slip cordon. Suthar struck again shortly after to remove the dangerous Rahmanullah Gurbaz, drawing an edge with a delivery that turned sharply away from the right-hander, which was smartly taken as a low catch by Sai Sudharsan at slip.
On the batting front, the hosts completely dominated the proceedings at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur. Propelled by magnificent centuries from captain Shubman Gill and KL Rahul, the Indian team piled up a massive total of 564/8 before declaring their first innings. Gill led the charge with a commanding 126, while Rahul anchored his innings beautifully to score exactly 100, with both batters continuing their stellar run of form in the longest format.
The rest of the batting lineup also capitalized on the favorable conditions, with Sai Sudharsan, Rishabh Pant, and Washington Sundar all chipping in with impressive half-centuries. Sudharsan, who looks set to get a prolonged run in the side under head coach Gautam Gambhir, put together a fluent 81, a score matched by wicketkeeper-batter Pant before his dismissal. Sundar then provided the finishing touches with an unbeaten 52, prompting the Indian declaration and putting the team firmly in the driver's seat.