08 June,2026 12:08 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Manav Suthar, Yashasvi Jaiswal (Pic: X/@BCCI)
In the one-off Test match against Afghanistan, Team India declared after posting 564 runs for the loss of eight wickets in the first innings at the Maharaja Singh PCA Stadium in New Chandigarh.
While batting, debutant Manav Suthar scored 28 runs in 41 balls, with the help of two boundaries and the same number of maximums. Later with the ball, he concluded Day 2 with the figures of three wickets for 21 runs in 15.5 overs.
Speaking about his performances, legendary Team India cricketer Sunil Gavaskar was impressed by his footwork during the first essay of the game.
"Manav Suthar has certainly made an impressive start to his Test career. What stood out was not just his bowling, but also the confidence he showed with the bat, particularly in the way he used his feet and looked comfortable at the crease," he said on JioStar.
Further, the former cricketer said that, considering Suthar's performances, he can emerge as a strong contender for Team India at the Test level.
"With the ball, he was extremely accurate and consistently put the batters under pressure. There was some assistance available from the surface, which he utilised well, but the real test for any spinner comes on flatter pitches where greater variety and adaptability are required. Having said that, this was a highly encouraging debut and he has shown the attributes to be a strong contender at the Test level going forward," added Gavaskar.
On Day 3 of the one-off Test match, the visitors have already lost six wickets and are trailing by more than 400 runs.
Team India has declared on 564 on Day 2 at the Maharaja Singh PCA Stadium in New Chandigarh. The hosts lost eight wickets after playing 127 overs.
Washington Sundar and Kuldeep Yadav stayed unbeaten. Facing 68 balls, Sundar garnered 52 runs, with the help of five boundaries and a maximum, whereas Kuldeep scored nine runs in 26 balls, including a boundary.
Manav Suthar also registered 28 runs in 41 balls, with the help of two boundaries and the same number of maximums. Mohammed Siraj smashed 22 runs off 12 balls, including four boundaries and a maximum.
Afghanistan's Mohammad Saleem returned with the figures of six wickets for 140 runs in 27 overs. Ziaur Rahman and captain Hashmatullah Shahidi also chipped in with one wicket each. Azmatullah Omarzai, Nangeyalia Kharote, and Abdul Malik went wicketless in India's first innings of the one-off Test match.
Skipper Shubman Gill's impressive knock came to an end on 126 runs. His knock came in 177 balls, which included 15 boundaries and a maximum. Dhruv Jurel departed on 19 runs in 20 balls, including four boundaries. Wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant delivered a crucial knock of 81 runs, which came in 121 deliveries. His knock was laced with six boundaries and three maximums.
Earlier, Team India ended the day one at 368 runs for the loss of three wickets as Indian batters dominated against an inexperienced Afghanistan bowling attack.
KL Rahul smashed 11 boundaries as he scored 100 runs in 165 balls. The Indian opener was dismissed by Ziaur Rahman Sharifi shortly after reaching his century.
