India vs Afghanistan AFG in IND, One-off Test, 2026, Full Score Card

OUT! CAUGHT! India have won this one-off Test by an innings and 300 runs. Wrong 'un first up for Mohammad Saleem, around his pads, Saleem looks for the big slog but ends up getting a leading edge towards the covers region. Sai Sudharsan moves to his right from cover-point and takes it nice and easy. India took under 7 overs after Tea to take 4 wickets, and with Sharafuddin Ashraf not fit enough to bat, that's that from this Test.

Mohammad Saleem has walked out to bat for Afghanistan.

OUT! CAUGHT! Gone this time. Kuldeep drops it shorter, outside off. Kharote makes room for the cut but ends up spooning it tamely towards backward point. Manav Suthar moves to his left and gobbles it up. Wicket number 2 for Kuldeep Yadav and the end is near for Afghanistan.

Bump ball! Googly by Kuldeep, fuller and around off. Kharote brings out the reverse, and it is squeezed out to second slip, where Yashasvi Jaiswal takes a sharp grab to his left. Jaiswal appeals, and the umpire raises his finger. Kharote takes the review, and the replays show that the ball bounced off the turf before going towards second slip. The on-field decision has been reversed.

Outside the off stump, on a length. Kharote walks across and attempts the sweep but misses and wears it on the pads.

A big swing and a miss! Loopy ball, full and wide on off, Nangeyalia Kharote swings for the hills but connects with thin air.

Fired in, full and on off. Ziaur Rahman hangs deep in the crease and winds up. He uses his bottom hand to thump it to long off but does not take the single.

Keeps it full, outside off. Rahman pats it down on the off side.

Tossed up, on the off stump. Rahman covers the line and keeps it out.

Wide on off, on the fuller side. Ziaur reaches out for the block but is beaten past the outside edge.

Slower and shorter, on off. Rahman stabs it down from the crease.

Beaten! Drifting away a touch, on a good length, around the off stump. Rahman pokes at it and is beaten.

Beaten! A bit short, outside off, Nangeyalia gives himself room again to force it away but misses as the ball turns away.

Oh, that popped up! It is the googly from Kuldeep, on a nagging length, around off. Kharote hops back for the cut but the ball spins back and kicks up to catch him on the glove before dropping to the ground.

Spinning away, on a good length. Nangeyalia Kharote lets it be.

Shorter and turning away, wide on off. Nangeyalia reaches out and punches it well. Yashasvi Jaiswal at silly point takes a bit of blow before the ball deflects to cover.

SIX! High and long enough. Kuldeep bowls a flighted delivery, on off. Kharote clears the front leg and swings through to go back over the bowler's head. Not quite from the middle of the bat but enough to clear the fence.

Drops it short, outside off. Kharote cuts it to point.

Beaten! This keeps straight, on a good length, outside off. Rahman hangs back out to play for the turn but is beaten on the outside edge.

Slower but the length stays full, on off, Rahman defends it watchfully.

Looped up, on off. Ziaur Rahman has a big heave across the line. Hacks it off the inner half to mid-wicket.

Turning back a bit, on a length, on off. Rahman blocks it off.

Full and on the off stump. This is driven to cover.

Promotion for Ziaur Rahman as he comes ahead of Mohammad Saleem.

OUT! IN THE AIR AND GONE! Azmatullah Omarzai takes the aerial route, but it does not come off for him. Sundar offers flight, full and on off, Omarzai collapses his back knee and gets his hands out in front. He swings to launch it down the ground. It comes off the toe end of the blade, and Azmatullah gets the height but not the distance. For a moment, Kuldeep Yadav at the long on fence thought that the ball was going over him, but he eventually ran in and managed to settle under the skier to take the catch.

Fractionally short and turning back in from over the wicket, on off. Nangeyalia Kharote hangs back to defend.

Sharafuddin Ashraf should have been the next batter in for Afghanistan, but he is still nursing a quad injury, which troubled him in Afghanistan's first innings as well. So, instead of Ashraf, it is Nangeyalia Kharote who has walked out to bat.

OUT! LBW! A celebrappeal from Manav Suthar and the finger is raised. This looks pretty straight and Afsar Zazai knows it but he still goes for the review, more in hope than anything else. It is the arm ball from Suthar, on a length from around the wicket, on middle. Afsar plays for the non-existent turn and is beaten on the inside edge. Gets hit on the front pad right in front of the stumps. There is no bat, confirmed by the UltraEdge, and Ball Tracking comes up as three reds with the ball crashing into the middle pole. Afghanistan are now 106/6, trailing by 306 runs.

Drops it short, on off, Zazai punches it off the back foot but straight to the cover fielder.

Misfield! Floated up, on middle and leg. Afsar Zazai pushes it to mid on, where Mohammed Siraj charges in to cut down the single. He tries to pick the ball up with one hand but lets it through and that allows the batters to take the second run.

On the shorter side, on the off stump. Zazai stabs it down by rocking back.

Turning away from the off stump. Afsar strides out in front with a straight bat but the ball spins away to beat the bat .

A bit of away drift, full and on off, that is defended solidly off the front foot.

Full and outside off, Afsar guides it behind point and turns the strike over.

Oh, that could have been trouble for Omarzai. Slower through the air, full and on off. Omarzai reaches out for the drive but miscues it off the inner half to short leg. Dhruv Jurel stays low and moves to his left. He picks the ball up and spots Azmatullah being out of the crease. He flicks it towards the stumps at the batting end. Omarzai was scrambling to get back and would have been out had the throw hit. Single taken as the ball goes behind on the off side.

Keeps it full, on off, Zazai steps out and whips it to long on for a single.

Full and quick, on off. Azmatullah knocks it to long off for a single.

'Catch it' is the call but Omarzai clears the fielder. Flighted up, full and around off. Azmatullah reaches out and swings at it. Drags it off the inner half but it goes over mid on for a couple of runs. The 100 is up for Afghanistan.

Suthar starts the third session with a maiden. Gives it a bit of air, full and around off. Zazai lunges to defend it off.

Pushed through, full and on middle. Kept out watchfully by Afsar Zazai.

Serves it on a length, on the off stump, Zazai gets behind the line for the block.

Slows it down now, fuller and on off. Afsar gets forward to smother the spin.

Drags the length back a bit, on the off stump. Zazai stabs it down.

Starts with a full ball, drifting in, on middle and leg. Afsar Zazai is solid in defence.

Welcome back for what could be the final session of the game. Azmatullah Omarzai has joined Afsar Zazai out in the middle. Manav Suthar will start the attack for India. Zazai is on strike. Let's go...

... DAY 3, SESSION 3 ...

Final session beckons - This match is rapidly moving toward a Day 3 finish unless the Afghan batters value their wickets and drastically rectify their shot selection. The big question ahead of the final session is whether India can scalp the remaining 5 wickets to wrap up an innings victory on Day 3, or if Afghanistan can bat out of their skin to drag this contest into Day 4. Join us again as the final session of Day 3 resumes at 2.30 pm IST (9 am GMT).

Spin twins suffocate Afghanistan’s resistance - India’s spin department is yet again proving to be the undoing of the Afghan batting line-up, with Washington Sundar orchestrating the demolition this time. Sundar was the standout performer of the session, scalping three vital wickets, one of which was of Sediqullah Atal right at the stroke of Tea. Kuldeep Yadav has also provided the crucial breakthrough of Gurbaz. While the Afghan batters attempted to fight back with an aggressive, proactive approach, their high-risk strategy backfired heavily against India's world-class spin duo.

India tighten their grip - The afternoon session of Day 3 saw India firmly cement their dominance, systematically breaking down Afghanistan's resistance after enforcing the follow-on. Though the Indian bowlers leaked a few boundaries to a counter-attacking approach, they successfully traded runs for wickets. By picking three crucial breakthroughs during the session, the hosts dismantled any hopes of a steady top-order partnership. India’s relentless pressure left the visitors completely exposed.

TEA ON DAY 3 - As the players head in for Tea, Afghanistan find themselves in a precarious position at 98 for 5 after 29 overs, still trailing the hosts by 314 runs. In the grand context of this Test match, the visitors are fighting a desperate race against the inevitable, as the stark gulf in class between the two sides remains on full display. In Test cricket, wickets are the ultimate currency, and by spending them too quickly, Afghanistan have left themselves needing a sporting miracle.

OUT! TAKEN! What have you done, Sediq? That will be the cry from the Afghan fans. Field up, and he could not resist himself on the last ball of the session. Tossed up by Sundar, not that full to hit through the line, on middle. Sediqullah Atal gives himself a bit of room and swings through the line to go down the ground with a straight bat. He fails to get to the pitch of the ball, and there is just enough away turn to catch the outer half of the blade. It balloons towards backward point, where Prasidh Krishna takes a dolly. Atal stands there in disbelief before starting to make the long walk back. Afghanistan are now 98/5, trailing by 314 runs in their second effort.

A prolonged appeal for LBW! Nothing doing, says the umpire. Flatter and shorter, around off. Sediqullah Atal hops back to make the leave. Gets rapped on the pads but the ball is not darting in enough to hit the stumps.

Back to around the wicket, slower through the air, tossed up, on off. Sediqullah Atal lunges for the block.

Across the batter again, no turn. Atal is solid in defence.

From over the wicket now, across off, on a length. Atal dead bats it.

Sliding on, very full, on middle. Sediqullah Atal squeezes it out.

Drifting in, on middle and leg. Zazai pushes it back to the bowler.

A bit slower and on a good length, on middle. This is solidly defended by Afsar.

Goes past the bat! At 88.1 kph, full and on the off pole. Afsar Zazai gets on the front foot but the ball lands and rips past the outside edge.

Full and quick, on off, Atal brings out the reverse and plays it down to deep backward point. They cross.

Tosses it up now, fuller and on off. Sediqullah Atal reaches out to smother the spin.

Short and on middle from over the wicket. Atal taps it to the left of the bowler from the crease.

Manav Suthar replaces Kuldeep Yadav.

Pushed through, very full, on off. Afsar Zazai digs it out.

A confident shout for LBW, but turned down. Washington Sundar is pretty convinced, and he runs up to the skipper to plead his case. Shubman Gill also has a word with Rishabh Pant before sending this upstairs. Spinning back in and the length is pulled back a bit, on a length, on off. Zazai gets a good stride in for the block but fails to smother the spin. It turns back to go past the inside edge and hits the batter on the back thigh. No bat involved, but the Ball Tracking has the ball bouncing over the stumps. India have now only one review left.

FOUR! Afsar Zazai is up and running. Tossed up, on off, Zazai shimmies downs the track and lofts it to the right of mid off for a boundary to get going.

OUT! EDGED AND GONE! A good, low grab by the Indian skipper to send his Afghan counterpart back in the hut. From around the wicket, flat and short, around the off stump. Hashmatullah Shahidi has a poke at the ball from the crease. The ball spins away a bit to catch the outside edge. It dies on Shubman Gill at first slip, who manages to get low quickly and gets his hands out in front to take the catch. The third umpire is summoned for a check. The replays confirm that the catch has been taken cleanly with Gill ensuring that he got his hands under the ball. Afghanistan are 4 down for 93 in their second effort, trailing by 319 runs.

Is that a fair take? Shubman Gill is sure about that, but the batter is still not moving as he is a bit susceptible to it. The replay shows that it will be touch and go. After several replays, the TV umpire confirms that this was a fair catch.

Fuller and angled in, on middle. Hashmatullah Shahidi pushes it to the left of the bowler.

Short and on middle. Hashmatullah Shahidi hurriedly drops his ba down on the ball.

Fine stop! Fuller and on off, Hashmatullah Shahidi drives it wide of cover. Nitish Kumar Reddy dives to his right and makes the stop.

What has happened here? Shubman Gill has gone for the review with a second left on the timer. A couple of things to be looked at here. The two umpires get together to ask the Indians what the review is for because the ball had got stuck somewhere in the body before the silly point fielder went up to the batter to grab hold of the ball. Kuldeep drops it short, it is the googly that spins back in sharply, on off. Hashmatullah Shahidi lets it go, expecting the ball to turn away from him. It turns back a long way to catch Shahidi on the forearm. The Ball Tracking shows that the ball would have gone over the stumps. India lose their 1st review.

Very full, on off. Hashmatullah Shahidi squeezes it out to the right of the bowler.

Beaten! Looped up, full and outside off. Hashmatullah goes hard on the drive but is beaten by the turn.

Drags the length back now, on middle. Shahidi pushes at the ball with slightly hard hands. It drops away from the silly point fielder to his left.

FOUR! Hashmatullah Shahidi is off the mark. Flighted up in line with the off stump. Shahidi gets down on a knee and rolls his wrists over the ball to sweep it through square leg for a boundary.

Stays on the shorter side, over off. Atal jabs it to mid-wicket.

Shorter and on off. Sediqullah Atal hangs back to keep it out.

At the sticks, on a length, that is defended solidly off the front foot.

Oh, risky option taken by Atal. Darted in full by Sundar, on off and middle. Sediqullah steps inside the line for the fine sweep. He takes it on the full and plays it to short fine leg.

Pushed through quicker, on off. Atal blocks it off.

An absolute beauty! Drifting in from around the wicket, landing on a length, on off. Sediqullah Atal presses forward but the ball lands and straightens to go past the outside edge with a bit of extra bounce.

Floated up there, on middle. Hashmatullah Shahidi smothers the spin by getting forward.

Fuller and attacking the front pad. Atal lunges for the block. The ball goes away off the inside edge, past short leg for a single.

Half a shout for caught behind but turned down. The appeal dies down quickly. Googly from Kuldeep, shorter and turning down leg. Atal misses out on the tickle and it is gathered well by Rishabh Pant by moving to his right.

Spins away again, on a nagging length. Sediqullah lets it be.

Turning away, on a good length, Sediqullah Atal makes the leave.

Around the pads, full in length. Sediqullah Atal tucks it on the leg side.

The skipper of Afghanistan, Hashmatullah Shahidi walks out next in the middle.

OUT! CAUGHT! Rahmat Shah holes out and India have a big wicket. Sundar offers flight, full and on off. Rahmat Shah dances down the track, looking to go down the ground. Manav Suthar at mid off is three-quarters of the way in off the ropes. Shah ends up getting too close to the pitch of the ball, and it comes off the toe end of the blade. It goes flat to mid off, where Suthar takes the catch to his left. Afghanistan are now 3 down for 87 while following on, and the deficit is 325 runs.

Before the start of the over, the on-field umpire issued an official warning to India's stand-in captain, KL Rahul, due to the team's failure to begin the over within the mandatory time limit. Rahul is acting as the stand-in skipper as Gill is off the field at the moment.

Around off, on a good length, Shah guides it to point.

Slightly short, on off. Rahmat presses back but is early into the cut. Chops it down to point.

Shorter and on off. Rahmat rocks back and cuts it through cover-point for a couple of runs.

A bit short, it stays low, outside off. Shah stabs it down.

Drifting away, on a length, outside off. Rahmat Shah makes the leave.

Offers flight, full and on off, firmly driven to cover.

Bowled at 82 kph, full and on the off stump. Sediqullah Atal defends with the bat close to the front pad.

Shorter and flatter, on off, Shah cuts it late to the left of backward point. They cross.

Across off, Shah drives this full ball to cover.

Pops up in the air! On a good length, on middle. Rahmat Shah gets on the front foot for the block. Gets an inside edge onto the pads but the ball drops beside the strip on the leg side, away from the short leg fielder.

Turning back in, on off. Rahmat presses forward to smother the spin.

Just outside the off stump, on a length. Sediqullah Atal covers the line and stabs it down.

Slower but keeps it full, on middle. Sediqullah Atal leans forward to defend.

Full and fired in, on middle. Shah drops it with soft hands in front of point and hurries to the other end. Mohammed Siraj swoops in but fails to pick the ball cleanly, allowing both batters to get home.

From around the wicket, pushed across the batter. Rahmat punches it to cover.

SIX! Nice use of the feet. Sundar gives the ball a bit of air, full and on middle. Rahmat Shah dances down the track and goes with the turn. He launches it over wide mid on for a six.

Full and a bit of turn, on the off stump. Rahmat Shah blocks it out watchfully.

Shorter and on off, turning away from the left-hander. Sediqullah Atal hangs back and lets it pass.

This spins away, full and on off. Atal lunges to smother the spin.

Serves the googly, full and attacking the front pad. Atal picks it form the hand and blocks it off.

Shorter and turning down leg, Shah glances it past short fine leg. Manav Suthar hunts it down and prevents the boundary. Rahmat is off the mark with three runs.

Tosses it up, on off. Rahmat drives this full ball to cover.

Rahmat Shah is in next.

OUT! CAUGHT! One shot too many from Rahmanullah Gurbaz, and he stands there in disbelief. Kuldeep Yadav has his first wicket of the game. Flighted delivery, full and around the off stump. Gurbaz spots the ball above his eyeline, and he goes for the lofted hit down the ground. He takes on the long on fielder but the ball spins back to catch the inner half of the blade. It goes flat and straight down the throat of long on, where Prasidh Krishna bends and takes the catch around his midriff. Afghanistan are now 74/2, trailing by 338 runs.

Gives the ball a bit of air, full and drifting in, on middle. Sediqullah is solid in defence.

Off-break, full and on off. Atal defends with the bat close to the front pad.

Slows it down but the length stays full, on middle. Rahmanullah clips it through mid-wicket and turns the strike over.

Full and quick, on off. Gurbaz reaches out and defends.

A bit fuller, on off, Rahmanullah angles it to backward point.

Nearly sneaked through! This comes on with the arm, on a nagging length, on middle. Sediqullah Atal rocks back for the block but the ball keeps a bit low and catches the inside edge before racing down to deep fine leg. The sub fielder, Nitish Kumar Reddy goes after it and hauls it in. Three runs taken.

SIX! Clean strike! Googly from Kuldeep and the length is pulled back, on middle. Rahmanullah Gurbaz picks it from the hand and clears his front leg to pump it over long on for a biggie. Afghanistan trail by 342 runs.

Around off, very full, Gurbaz jams it out.

FOUR! Just wide. Loopy ball, floated up there, on off. Rahmanullah Gurbaz goes hard on the drive and can't keep it on the ground. The sub fielder, Harsh Dubey dives full-stretch to his right at cover, but the ball evades him and races away.

Not in complete control but safe. Tossed up, full and wide on off. Gurbaz extends his hands, looking to go inside out. Slices it off the outer half over cover for a couple of runs.

NO BALL! Keeps it full, on off. Atal strides forward and knocks it to the right of mid off for a single. Kuldeep has overstepped.

Looped up, fuller and on middle. Atal digs it out.

This keeps low. Starts on the shorter side, spinning away, outside off. Atal reaches out and punches it to cover.

DRINKS BREAK! A stubborn resistance from Afghanistan in the first hour after the Lunch break. Sediqullah Atal was tested consistently by Mohammed Siraj, but has managed to hang in there. The issue for Afghanistan in the first innings was getting in and not making those starts count. This time around, they will be hoping they can convert their hard work into something more substantial. Patience is the name of the game for India, who have been made to work hard by the tourists. Kuldeep Yadav has been brought back.

Flighted, around off, Sediqullah Atal jumps down the ground and drives this to long off for a single. Kuldeep Yadav was well in from the fence and he charges on the ball, fields it and hits the stumps with a direct hit towards the bowler's end. Atal was well inside the crease as the ball struck the stumps.

Tossed up, wide of off, Atal leaves it.

Full and around off, Sediqullah Atal dead bats it.

Floated around off, Gurbaz pushes this down the ground to long on for one. This came off the inside half of RG's bat.

FOUR! A juicy half-volley, around off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz strides close to the pitch of the ball and smashes this grounded through the mid off region for a crisp boundary.

Fuller on off, Sediqullah Atal tucks this through mid-wicket for one. The 50 is up for Afghanistan, and the deficit is 362 runs.

Back of a length, around off, Rahmanullah dabs this gently back to first slip.

Good length, onto the pads, Gurbaz tucks this to the mid-wicket region.

Siraj hits the good length area, bowls it around off. Rahmanullah Gurbaz defends this off his front foot.

Back of a length, on off, Gurbaz keeps it out.

Good length, on off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz presses onto his front foot and defends this off one.

Hard length, around off, RG defends this off his front foot.

Around that nagging length, on off, top-spinner from Sundar. Sediqullah Atal gets right on top of the bounce and blocks this out.

Pushed through, wide of off, Gurbaz dabs this to the left of Siraj at backward point for one.

Tossed up, around off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz blocks this off his front foot.

Quicker one, on the pads, Gurbaz blocks this around short leg.

Flat and short, around off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz dabs this to point.

FOUR! Fuller on the pads, Rahmanullah Gurbaz brings out the reverse sweep and plays this in the gap through the point region for a boundary.

NO BALL! Starts with a full ball, around off, Gurbaz blocks this off his front foot. The siren goes around signalling that Sundar has overstepped.

Washington Sundar comes into the attack, replacing Manav Suthar.

Full and wide outside the off stump. Sediqullah Atal shoulders arms.

Back of a length, on off, Atal defends this one solidly.

Hard length, on off, Atal jams this off his front foot.

Good length, going down the leg side. Rahmanullah Gurbaz flicks this through square leg for a single.

Slower one, back of a length, around off. Rahmanullah Gurbaz steps down the track and blocks this out.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz is in at number 3.

OUT! LBW! Trapped plumb in front of the stumps here is Abdul. Siraj steams in from over the stumps, bowls it on a good length, tailing it back into the batter on middle and leg. Abdul Malik looks to flick through mid-wicket but misses and gets rapped on the front pad. A loud appeal and the umpire raises his finger. Abdul takes the review, more in hope than in expectation. Three reds on the Ball Tracking backs the on-field decision of OUT. Afghanistan are 42 for 1, trailing by 370 runs.

Quicker one, turning back into the batter off a good length. Sediqullah Atal takes a long step out in front and goes for the block but misses and gets hit around his abdomen.

FOUR! Atal is trying to unsettle Manav off his line and length here. Tossed up, around off, Sediqullah Atal brings out the reverse sweep and plays this along the ground through the backward point region for four runs.

Much slower, full and around off. Sediqullah Atal rocks back inside his crease and gets an inside edge that deflects off his pads and falls well short of Sai Sudharsan at short leg.

Fired into the batter, on middle and off. Abdul Malik blocks this off the inside portion of the bat beside the strip on the leg side for one.

Shorter, around off, turning away from the batter. Abdul Malik goes deep inside the crease and looks to defend but gets beaten.

Fuller on off, Abdul Malik keeps it out off his back foot.

The Indian fielders take a moment to sip on some fluids. Manav Suthar to continue.

Back of a length, around off, Sediqullah Atal punches this off his back foot through covers for two.

FOUR! Another streaky boundary for Atal and a morale victory for the bowler. Good length, around off, Sediqullah Atal plays this late, offers an angled bat face and dabs this with soft hands. The ball goes through the gully region for a boundary.

Another excellent delivery from Mohammed Siraj. Right in the channel, on a good length, around off, straightening after pitching. Atal plays within the line and gets beaten on the outside edge.

Back of a length, around off, Sediqullah Atal plays at it with soft hands, dabs this to second slip on the half-volley.

Siraj continues to trouble Atal. From around the wicket, angled in before holding its line, on a good length, on the off stump. Sediqullah Atal pushes out in front with a straight bat but is beaten all ends up.

Good length, around off, Sediqullah Atal keeps it out.

Quicker one, on off, Abdul Malik defends this off his back foot.

Tossed up, around off, Malik keeps it out off his front foot.

DROPPED​! A tough chance, but a chance nonetheless. Abdul Malik gets a life as Pant drops him on 5. Flighted, wide outside off, Abdul Malik goes for a flash off his front foot. The ball takes an outside edge of Abdul's bat, and the ball goes to the right of the keeper. Pant goes for the catch but could only manage fingertips on it. The ball then goes past the right of KL Rahul at first slip, who was initially moving to his left but had to adjust and couldn't lay a hand on it. Two runs taken as Siraj cuts it off around the third man fence.

Fuller on off, Abdul Malik keeps it out.

Tossed up, on off, Abdul Malik defends this off his front foot.

Fired around off, Abdul Malik pokes at it but bails out in time.

Good length, on the pads, Sediqullah Atal pushes this to short mid-wicket.

A genuine outside edge here, but the ball lands short of KL Rahul at first slip. On a length, around off, Sediqullah tries to press forward for the block. The ball cuts away from the batter and catches an outside edge that lands well short of Rahul.

Full and wide outside off, Sediqullah Atal shoulders his arms at it.

Right in the channel, good length, around off. This was angling into the batter but it moves away after landing. Atal looks to defend it but gets beaten.

FOUR! Edged and the ball has raced to the fence for four. Pitched-up delivery, around off, Sediqullah Atal goes after it with a drive. Gets an outside edge and the ball beats the second slip fielder to his left before going away to the third man fence for four.

Siraj comes around the stumps, bowls it full and around off, the ball nips a hint away from the batter as well. Sediqullah Atal looks to block this off his front foot but gets beaten on his outside edge.

Floated around the off stump. Abdul Malik blocks this to silly point.

Fired fuller on off, Abdul Malik defends this out.

A tad quicker and fuller as well, around off. Abdul Malik prods onto his front foot to block this but gets an outside edge that races past Siraj at short third for a couple of runs.

Tossed up, on middle and leg, Abdul Malik takes a few steps down the track and pushes this to mid on again.

Fuller on the pads, Abdul Malik flicks this down to mid on.

Manav bowls this on a nagging length, in the line of the stumps and turning away from the batter. Abdul Malik pokes at it but gets beaten.

On a length, around off, Abdul dabs this watchfully towards the left of point for a single.

In the channel, on a good length. Abdul Malik shoulders his arms at it.

A tad full on this occasion, around the pads. Abdul Malik pushes this to mid on.

Hard length, around off, Atal gently pushes this towards point. Manav Suthar misfields it and the batters take one.

Prasidh Krishna goes full and on middle and leg, Atal pushes this to mid on.

Good length, around off, Sediqullah Atal blocks this off his back foot towards backward point.

Another one where Manav gives it a lot of air, bowls it a tad full and on off. Abdul Malik dabs this to the left of Mohammed Siraj at backward point.

Flighted, around off, Abdul Malik pushes this to the left of point.

Quicker, flatter and fuller, on middle and leg, Abdul Malik blocks this off his front foot.

Much fuller, tossed up, around off, Abdul pats this back to the bowler for a dot.

Quicker one, around off, Abdul Malik defends this underneath his eyeline.

Floated around off, Abdul Malik rocks back and blocks this back to the bowler.

Hard length, on middle and leg, Sediqullah Atal pushes this to mid on.

Good length, wide outside off, Atal shoulders his arms at it.

Full and wide of off, Sediqullah Atal steps close to the pitch of the ball and leaves it.

Back of a length, around off, Atal punches this through the covers region for a couple.

Good length, around off, Atal blocks this off his front foot.

Hard length, on top of off, Sediqullah Atal gets behind the line of the ball and blocks this out.

It will be pace from the other end in the form of Prasidh Krishna.

Fuller around middle and off, Abdul Malik gets right on top of the bounce and keeps it out.

Tossed up, around off, Abdul Malik defends this off his front foot.

Quicker one, around off, Abdul Malik presses onto the front foot and blocks this back to the bowler.

Fuller around off, Atal punches this past the left of he bowler for a single down to long on.

Manav comes around the stumps, bowls it full and on middle and leg, Atal rocks back again and keeps it out.

Manav starts the afternoon session with a length delivery, in line with the stumps. Sediqullah Atal rocks deep inside the crease and tucks this to short leg.

Welcome back for the afternoon session on Day 3. The two Afghan openers have made their way out to the centre and have been joined by the Indians. Manav Suthar will kickstart proceedings with the ball. Sediqullah Atal is on strike. A slip, a backward short leg and a forward short leg await. Here we go!

... DAY 3, SESSION 2 ...

A battle of patience - From India's perspective, the key will be to remain patient. On a surface like this, where there is enough assistance for the spinners, it can be tempting to go searching for wickets and drift away from the basics. Moreover, in the first innings, despite having a cushion of runs to work with, India were perhaps a touch too defensive at times, with the field spread out. Afghanistan have their backs firmly against the wall, but can they grind it out and offer the kind of stubborn resistance Rahmat Shah showed in the first innings? Or will India make early inroads and swiftly move towards wrapping up the contest? Do join us back at 12.10 pm IST (6.40 am GMT) to find out. Cheers!

Safely negotiated - A short passage of play before the break, and Afghanistan have negotiated it without any damage. The positive the visitors can take from those four overs was the approach of Sediqullah Atal, who looked far more proactive by using his feet against Manav Suthar. That should be the template Afghanistan need to follow if they are to counter India's spin challenge. They cannot afford to let the spinners settle into a rhythm and repeatedly hit the same areas.

Floated on off, Abdul Malik blocks this off his front foot. That will be LUNCH on Day 3.

Tossed up, on middle and leg, Malik flicks this to mid-wicket.

Fuller around off, Abdul Malik pushes this to mid off.

Full and on the pads, Abdul Malik clips this to short fine leg.

Wrong'un around off, Abdul rocks back and keeps it out.

Tossed up, down the leg side, Abdul Malik tucks this to backward square leg.

Kuldeep Yadav to bowl what should be the last over before the Lunch break.

Pushed through around off, Sediqullah Atal keeps it out.

FOUR! A brilliant lofted stroke by Atal for four. Flighted, around off, turning back into the batter, Atal jumps close to the pitch of the ball and lofts this over mid off for four. Atal's bat did tilt in his hands at the time of contact with the ball, but he had enough power to clear the fielder.

Tossed up, around off, Manav drives this to covers.

Much slower, and fuller, around off, turning back into the southpaw. Atal goes for the front foot block but misses and gets hit on the abdomen.

Quicker one, on middle and off, Sediqullah Atal rocks back inside the crease and tucks this to deep mid-wicket for two.

SIX! Maybe the Afghanistan batters have decided not to let Manav Suthar settle into his rhythm. Tossed up, around off, Sediqullah Atal shimmies down the track and swings through the line. Hits this a long way back over the sight screen for a biggie.

Full and on the pads, Abdul Malik flicks this through the right of Mohammed Siraj at mid on. Siraj chases this, puts in a dive to his right and fields this. A couple taken by the batters.

Back of a length, around off, Abdul Malik gets behind the line and keeps it out.

Hard length, wide of off, Abdul Malik plays within the line and gets beaten on the outside edge.

Right in the channel, on a good length, around off, Abdul Malik pokes at it away from his body but gets beaten on the outside.

Good length, around off, Abdul Malik leaves it as well.

Full and wide of off, Abdul Malik leaves it all alone.

It will be Prasidh Krishna to bowl from the other end.

Pushes it through now, on a length, on middle. Sediqullah Atal stabs it down by getting forward.

FOUR! Gets it away! Floated up, fuller and turning in, on middle. Sediqullah Atal gets down on a knee and has a slog with the turn. It comes off the inner half and goes wide of backward square leg for a boundary.

Flat and short, on middle. Sediqullah Atal rocks back to defend.

Turning back into the pads, on a good length. Atal nudges it to square leg.

A tough chance, but standing in close, you have got to take these. Quicker one, on the pads, Sediqullah Atal blocks this one. Atal couldn't keep this down, and the ball goes close to the right of Sai Sudharsan at short leg. Sai leans low and tries to catch this one, but he couldn't grab hold of it.

Appeal for LBW on the very first delivery, but the umpire turns the appeal down. Quicker one, around off, Sediqullah Atal prods onto his front foot and looks to block, but misses out and the ball clips Atal high on his back thigh and rolls towards first slip. Suthar was keen on sending this upstairs, but Shubman Gill opted against it after consultation with KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant. A wise decision not to send this upstairs, as the impact was outside the line.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Flighted, around off, Ziaur Rahman stands deep inside his crease and goes for a wild hoick, mistimes this from the cue end of his bat, and the ball hangs high beside the strip on the leg side. Rishabh Pant calls for it and holds onto it. Afghanistan have been bundled out for 152 in their first innings.

Full and on off, Ziaur Rahman keeps it out.

Quicker one, on the pads, Nangeyalia Kharote pushes at the ball but gets an inside edge that races to the fine leg region. Kuldeep Yadav gives it a good chase and saves one for the side. Three runs taken.

Pushed through on off, Nangeyalia Kharote blocks this off his back foot.

SIX! Ziaur is not looking to hang around. Short of a length, around middle and off, turning away from the batter. Ziaur Rahman rocks back and slogs this up and over the fence towards the cow corner region for six.

Well, well, Mohammad Saleem would not want to look at the replays. The Ball Tracking shows that the ball has pitched outside the line of the leg stump. Saleem walked off looking quite animated after the on-field decision. Ziaur Rahman is the last man in.

OUT! LBW! Saleem has been trapped in front of the sticks. Drifting one around the leg side, before turning away. Mohammad Saleem looks to block but misses. He is beaten on the outside edge and gets hit on the back pad. A gentle appeal, and the umpire raises his finger. Saleem thinks about going for the review and even has a chat with his partner before deciding to walk off without taking the review. Wicket number 6 for Manav Suthar and Afghanistan are now 143/9.

Tossed up, around off, Mohammad Saleem blocks this to point.

Fuller around off, Saleem looks to block this off his front foot but gets beaten.

Mohammad Saleem is the new batter.

OUT! BOWLED'EM! A five-wicket haul on Test debut for Manav Suthar, the stuff of dreams. Full and around the leg stump. Rahmat Shah goes a long way across and looks for the sweep but misses, and the ball goes around his legs to crash into the stumps. Rahmat's resistance comes to an end. Afghanistan are now 8 down for 143.

Quicker and flatter around off, turning away from the batter. Rahmat Shah blocks this out.

Sundar comes over the stumps, bowls it full and around off. Nangeyalia Kharote leaves it.

Tossed up, on off, Nangeyalia Kharote drives this towards a deepish mid off.

Fuller around off, Kharote stabs this off his front foot.

Quicker one, around off, Nangeyalia Kharote defends this off his back foot.

Half a chance! Floated around off, Nangeyalia Kharote blocks this off his front foot. This goes a bit uppishly to the left of Sai Sudharsan at silly point, but he cannot stretch his left hand out quick enough.

Tossed up, around off, Nangeyalia Kharote pushes this to short cover.

Tossed up, around off, Rahmat Shah defends this off his front foot.

Fuller and flatter, in the line of the stumps. Nangeyalia Kharote blocks it with hard hands. Gets an inside edge and the ball goes past the left of Sai Sudharsan at short leg for a single.

Quicker one and fuller around off, Nangeyalia Kharote leaves it.

Short of a length, around off, turning back into the batter. Nangeyalia Kharote rocks back and keeps it out.

Fuller on off, Nangeyalia Kharote defends this out.

Nangeyalia Kharote walks out to bat.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! India get the review right, and that is wicket number 4 for Manav Suthar. A lot of drift into the batter, turning away after pitching, as has been the case for Suthar for most of this contest. Sharafuddin Ashraf looks for the slog towards the deep mid-wicket region but fails to connect and the ball is gathered behind the stumps by Rishabh Pant. A loud appeal for caught behind and a confident one but the umpire turns it down. Gill almost sends this upstairs immediately, standing close to the pitch. UltraEdge confirms a clear spike as the ball passes the bat and Ashraf has to walk back. End of a 24-run stand. Afghanistan are now 142/7, needing 223 more runs to avoid the follow-on.

Manav Suthar (20-10-26-3) returns to the attack.

FOUR! A boundary to end the over. Fuller, on the pads, Rahmat Shah shimmies down the track and flicks this past the right of the mid-wicket fielder for a boundary. This was hit uppishly and wasn't that far from the fielder.

Quicker one, around off, Sharafuddin Ashraf drives this through covers for a single.

Here comes the big slog from Ashraf. Tossed up, around the pads, Sharafuddin Ashraf goes for a slog sweep but misses out and gets hit around his abdomen. Maybe this is how he will be going on from now on.

Quicker one, around off, Shah punches this through covers for one.

Tossed up, around off, Rahmat takes a long stride out in front and looks to block but gets beaten and is hit on the front pad. A loud appeal from the home side but the umpire turns it down.

Floated around off, Rahmat Shah rocks back and blocks this out.

DRINKS BREAK! Just the solitary wicket for India in the first hour or so of play, with Rahmat Shah continuing to lead Afghanistan's resistance. A word as well for Sharafuddin Ashraf, who is clearly struggling with that quad injury but continues to battle on for his side. There has not been quite as much turn on offer so far on Day 3 as there was yesterday, and you could sense a touch of frustration creeping into the Indian camp. Afghanistan are still 229 runs away from avoiding the follow-on. Washington Sundar to bowl after the break.

Slider around off, Sharafuddin Ashraf looks to block this off his back foot but gets beaten on the outside edge. Pant gathers this behind the stumps and appeals for caught behind, but the umpire shrugs it away.

Quicker one, on the pads, Sharafuddin Ashraf flicks this to long on but denies the single on offer again as he is not feeling the best while running between the wickets.

Short of a length, around off, Rahmat Shah tucks this to deep square leg and takes a run. Ashraf continues to struggle big time while running.

Much slower, flighted, wide of off, turning a long way back into the batter. Rahmat Shah looks to cut this late and square on off but misses out. The ball wasn't far from the off stump here.

Fuller on middle and leg, Rahmat presses onto his front foot and keeps it out.

Tossed up, around off, Sharafuddin Ashraf dabs this through the short third region for a single.

A bit of nip back, on the off stump, on a good length. Shah chops it down to point.

A play and a miss! Siraj goes fuller now, outside off. Shah pushes away from his body and is lucky not to nick this one behind.

At 131.5 kph, on a back of a length, on off. Rahmat angles it to backward point. Siraj walks up and chirps at the batter. Shah responds with a smile.

Hurls it on a good length, on off and middle. Rahmat gets forward to play it back to the bowler. Siraj picks the ball up and fires in a throw at the batting end, knocking down the stumps.

Siraj goes searching for the yorker but ends up serving a low full toss, on middle. Rahmat punches it to long off, where the fielder is in off the ropes. Shah is keen for a single but Ashraf sends him back.

Banged in short, on off. Shah swivels and pulls it to deep square leg but they do not run.

Flighted up, full and on middle. Ashraf brings his bat out in front and dead bats it.

Shorter and it is the googly, on the off stump. Ashraf reads the spin well and steers it on the bounce to KL Rahul at first slip.

Slower and fuller, on off. Sharafuddin Ashraf lunges to defend.

From around the wicket now, on a nagging length, on middle. Ashraf stays back for the block.

No ball! Serves the googly, full and landing outside the line of the leg stump. Sharafuddin Ashraf keeps it out off the front foot. Oh, Kuldeep has overstepped.

Across off, on the fuller side. Ashraf extends his hands to smother the spin. Gets an inside edge onto the pads.

The Afghanistan team physio has rushed out in the middle as Sharafuddin Ashraf is feeling discomfort in the area he had earlier injured.

Googly, full and on the off pole. Sharafuddin Ashraf lunges and drops it with soft hands in front of cover. Just as he sets off for the quick single, he pulls up and aborts the run before limping behind the wicket.

Delivers it on a short of a length, on middle. Rahmat turns it to mid-wicket.

Honing in on the off stump, on a good length. Shah covers the line and pats it down on the off side.

Dishes out the yorker, on middle. It tails back in towards the front boot. Shah jams it out.

Pitches it up at pace, on off. Shah firms the drive back to the bowler. Siraj makes a half-stop low to his right.

Pace taken off now, fuller and on middle. Shah taps it to the right of the bowler with a straight bat.

A little too straight, on a nagging length, on the pads. Ashraf glances it down to deep fine leg and hobbles to the other end. 232 more needed to avoid the follow-on.

A bit of turn back into the right-hander, on a length, on middle. Rahmat Shah is solid in defence.

Gives the ball a bit of air, on off. Rahmat strokes it to mid off.

Across the right-hander, full in length. Shah reaches out to defend.

Offers flight, full and on off. Shah attempts the drive but miscues it off the inner half back to the bowler.

Tossed up again, on the off stump. Shah drives it to mid off.

Flighted delivery, full and on off. Rahmat leans forward to defend.

Another bowling change as Kuldeep Yadav comes into the attack.

Stays at the stumps, on the fuller side, Ashraf pushes it to mid on.

Well, remember 45.1 over, Rahmat Shah blocks a delivery close to his pads, and a wild throw from Dhruv Jurel allows him to get off strike. However, the replays reveal that the ball struck Shah's pads first and on Ball Tracking, it would have gone to hit the middle stump. Gill and the Indian side see the funny side of it now, but it could have been 4 for Manav Suthar and would have put India in a further commanding position.

A loud shout for LBW, but turned down. Shubman Gill checks with the bowler and the men around the bat before going for the review. Tailing back into the right-hander by Siraj, attacking the front pad, on a length. Ashraf presents a straight bat for the block and his bat stays beside the pads. Ekes out an inside edge onto the front pad, confirmed by the replays, and the third umpire feels no need to go to UltraEdge. India lose their 2nd review.

At 129.8 kph, on a short of a length, on middle. Ashraf pats it to the right of the bowler.

Better line, on middle, on a good length. Sharafuddin stabs it down from the crease.

FOUR! Easy pickings! Sprayed on the pads, on a length. Sharafuddin Ashraf just tickles it off the pads down to deep fine leg for a four.

Targets the top of off first up, does Siraj. Sharafuddin Ashraf steers it from the crease to point.

Back to around the wicket, pushed through at 87.3 kph, full and on middle. Rahmat uses his feet and gets to the pitch of the ball to dab it down.

From over the wicket now, turning away a touch, fractionally short, on off. Shah taps it to cover.

Darted in, full and on middle. Shah stabs it down off the front foot.

Flatter and shorter, outside off, Rahmat leaves it all alone.

Around the off stump, on a length, blocked out watchfully.

Floated up, on off. Rahmat smothers the spin by pressing forward.

Just outside the off stump, on a nagging length, Ashraf shoulders arms.

Sharafuddin Ashraf might have hit a glorious cover drive, but he is struggling. That injury to his quad that he sustained is troubling him, and any degree of stretch to it will make him feel a tad uncomfortable.

FOUR! Hammered! A juicy half-volley, on off. Sharafuddin Ashraf does not move his feet at all and gets his hands through the line of the ball. He cracks the drive along the ground to the left of mid off for a boundary.

Lands it on a short of a length, on middle. Sharafuddin Ashraf taps it down the strip.

On a back of a length, on off, this is angled behind point for a run.

Angled in, on a back of a length, on middle. Rahmat blocks it out from the crease.

FOUR! Untidy by Kuldeep Yadav. That will be FIFTY for Rahmat Shah. It has been tough going, but Rahmat has dug deep and shown plenty of determination. Into the wicket, over middle. Rahmat gets his hands high and helps the pull down to deep fine leg. Kuldeep gets around to his right and gathers the ball, but as he tries to release the throw, the ball slips out of his grasp and drops beyond the ropes. Shah becomes the first Afghan batter to score a half-century against India in Test cricket, informs Deep Dasgupta.

Beaten! Drags the length back now, slower and on off. Ashraf defends down the wrong line and is beaten past the outside edge.

Full and at the sticks, that is kept out solidly off the front foot.

Slows it down now, full and on off. Ashraf gets forward to defend.

Keeps it full, but this is a bit quicker, on off. Sharafuddin Ashraf reaches out in front to smother the spin. Ashraf grimaces in pain as he is struggling to get forward due to the quad injury.

An absolute peach! Drifting in, full and on off. Sharafuddin Ashraf pushes out in front but the ball lands and rips past the outside edge.

Needless throw! Speared in, full and on middle. Rahmat jams it out to silly point by keeping the bat close to the front pad. Dhruv Jurel tries to flick the ball onto the stumps at the batting end but his throw is wayward. It goes through the vacant leg slip region, allowing a single.

A wicket-maiden from Prasidh Krishna. Tailing back in, on a good length, on middle. Sharafuddin Ashraf gets behind the line to defend.

On top of off, Ashraf hops back to block it off.

In the channel, on a length, this zips through. Sharafuddin Ashraf makes the leave.

Keeps it full, on off. Ashraf works it to cover.

Sharafuddin Ashraf walks out next. After sustaining an injury on Day 1, Ashraf has made his way out to bat.

OUT! DRAGGED ON! A loose shot and Azmatullah Omarzai pays the price. Krishna serves it fuller this time, around the off stump. Omarzai pushes at the ball away from his body. The ball moves back in a touch off the deck, enough to catch the inside edge, and it clatters back into the leg pole. Afghanistan are now 6 down for 118, needing 247 more runs to avoid the follow-on.

Delivers it on a back of a length, on middle. A bit of nip back into the right-hander and Omarzai is solid in defence.

Rahmat Shah can be seen intentionally blocking the ball with his bat ahead of his pad, working on his previous habit of keeping his bat behind his pads, which frequently left him vulnerable to LBW dismissals.

Shah goes back to a fuller ball, on the off stump but manages to keep it out.

Pulls the length back now, on off. Shah punches it to cover.

FOUR! Good use of the feet. Suthar offers flight and keeps it slower through the air, Shah advances to get to the pitch of the ball and strokes it all along the ground to the left of the diving mid off fielder for a four.

A bit too full, on middle. Shah eases it to mid off.

Floated up now, on off. Shah leans on and defends with the bat close to the front pad. A bit of extra bounce results in the ball catching the splice of the bat and dropping in front of silly point.

Fractionally short, on off. Rahmat rocks back for the cut and hits it straight to cover.

Bashes the hard length, over off with a short leg in place. Azmatullah Omarzai stands tall and dabs it down to gully.

First run of Day 3. Dug in short, over middle. Shah swivels and gets his hands high to pull it down to deep fine leg for a single.

Hits the back of a length, around off. Shah hangs back and taps it back to the bowler.

Fuller in length now, on middle. Shah knocks it to mid off.

Beaten! At 132.4 kph, angled in before nipping away. Rahmat presents a straight bat to cover the line but is beaten on the outside edge.

Krishna hurls it on a short of a length, outside off. Shah drives it on the up to cover.

Quicker through the air but the length stays full, on off. Omarzai dabs it down by getting forward. A maiden by Suthar, his 9th of the innings.

Gives a bit of air, full and on off. Azmatullah lunges to keep it out. The ball bounces in front of silly point.

Pushes it through, full and on middle. This is driven to mid off.

Slows it down and tosses it up, on off. Azmatullah pushes it to cover.

Attacking the front pad, on a length. Azmatullah Omarzai brings his bat out in front for the block.

Floated up, on off, this keeps straight and Omarzai gets forward to defend.

In and around the off stump, on a short of a length. Rahmat stabs it down on the off side.

Oh, that could have gone anywhere. Slanting back in, on a back of a length, on middle. Shah pushes at the ball out in front of his body. The ball nips back to catch the inside before lobbing up off the thigh pad. It drops safely beside the strip on the leg side.

Drags the length back a bit and this is angled into the pads. Rahmat clips but can't get it past Shubman Gill at a catching mid-wicket.

Stays on the fuller side, outside off. Shah extends his hands for the drive but miscues it towards mid off.

Pushes the length further now and finds a bit of reverse swing, on middle. Rahmat digs it out.

Starts well, does Prasidh. Nice and full, attacking the stumps. Shah gets behind the line for the block but it goes off the inner half to square leg.

Prasidh Krishna will operate from the other end.

Begins from around the wicket, short and on middle. A bit of turn and Omarzai hangs back to defend.

All in readiness for action on Day 3 to commence. India's bowling coach, Morne Morkel, has been given the honour of ringing the bell before the start of play. The two umpires lead the way, followed by Shubman Gill and his troops. Azmatullah Omarzai is the new batter for Afghanistan, with Rahmat Shah present at the other end. Manav Suthar has one ball left in his over. Two slips and a silly point await. Let's go...

A quick chat with India's all-rounder - Washington Sundar speaks about his adaptability, focusing entirely on fulfilling whatever batting role the team demands to ensure they benefit in any given game situation. Transitioning from the IPL to Test cricket, Sundar says that it requires significant mental and physical preparation. Sundar praises Manav Suthar as a future matchwinner, highlighting his exceptional ability to put his entire body into every delivery.

PITCH REPORT - Former Australian captain, Michael Clarke, believes the surface still looks almost brand new, and he is impressed by how well the pitch has held together, despite the intense heat over the first two days. He observes a few footmarks developing that could become a factor as the match progresses. Clarke expects even more assistance for the spinners on Day 3 and also feels the surface could begin to keep a little lower as the game wears on. Former India wicketkeeper, Deep Dasgupta, echoes those sentiments, stressing that application against spin will be crucial, with the pitch expected to become progressively slower and lower over time.

Afghanistan's mountain to climb - Afghanistan find themselves in a precarious position, staring at a steep uphill battle. With half their side back in the hut, the visitors still trail India by a massive 451 runs. Experienced campaigner Rahmat Shah is fighting a lonely battle, but the road ahead on a deteriorating, spin-friendly track looks treacherous. To avoid the ignominy of a follow-on, Afghanistan must reach 365 in their first innings. Facing relentless pressure, the lower-order batters will need immense discipline to survive the challenging morning session on Day 3. While Suthar has successfully weaponised the turning ball from one end, wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav will be eager to leave his mark on Day 3. Stick around as the start of play is not far away.

Dream debut for Suthar - When India declared, the focus immediately shifted to their bowling line-up, and 23-year-old debutant Manav Suthar spectacularly stole the spotlight. Handed his maiden Test cap by Kuldeep Yadav, the young left-arm spinner from Rajasthan looked at home on the international stage from his very first over. Operating with a classical diagonal run-up, exceptional overspin, and a brisk pace, Suthar choked the run flow and extracted an astonishing degree of turn. He dismissed opener Abdul Malik on just his fourth delivery in international cricket and went on to claim the scalps of Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Afsar Zazai. Spinning a relentless web around the batters, Suthar ended Day 2 with stellar figures of 3/21 in 15.5 overs.

Welcome, everyone! The opening two days of the one-off Test match have seen Team India exhibit complete dominance over a trailing Afghanistan side. After electing to bat first, the hosts put on a clinical batting masterclass to post a gargantuan first-innings total of 564/8 declared. Centuries from captain Shubman Gill and seasoned campaigner KL Rahul anchored the mammoth innings. Dynamic contributions further amplified the onslaught, with Sai Sudharsan and Rishabh Pant both playing fluent knocks of 81, followed by Washington Sundar's crucial unbeaten 52. Afghanistan's bowlers toiled hard in punishing heat, but barring a phenomenal maiden six-wicket haul from pacer Mohammad Saleem, they struggled to stem the flow of runs.

... DAY 3, SESSION 1 ...

Afghanistan's uphill task - India's 564 is a long way away for Afghanistan, and their priority will be to avoid the follow-on, for which they still require another 252 runs. A lot will rest on Rahmat Shah to provide the resistance and bat deep into the innings if the visitors are to have any hope of narrowing the deficit. To add to Afghanistan's troubles, they could also be without all-rounder Sharafuddin Ashraf, who left the field with an injury on Day 1 and has not taken the field since. Shubman Gill will ask more of the same from his bowlers on Day 3 as India look to tighten their grip even further. The first ball will be bowled at 9.30 am IST (4 am GMT). We look forward to having your company then. Goodbye and take care!

A tough reply - The bowling effort for Afghanistan was led by Mohammad Saleem, who charged in relentlessly despite the draining conditions and finished with six wickets. In reply, the visitors' troubles began almost immediately once Manav Suthar was introduced. The left-arm spinner struck with his fourth ball in Test cricket, and it only got better for him while Prasidh Krishna chipped in with a couple of wickets of his own. Rahmat Shah looked the most assured of the Afghan batters against spin on a surface that continued to ask questions.

Missed chances, heavy cost - As India resumed on 368/3, Afghanistan's best chance of keeping the hosts in check lay with the second new ball, but they were left to rue their decision-making with the DRS. Twice in two balls, first Shubman Gill and then Rishabh Pant survived appeals that would have been overturned had Afghanistan opted to review. Those reprieves allowed Gill and Pant to march on and further strengthen India's position. Even after the pair departed, there was no respite for the visitors as India's lower middle order chipped in to take them to 564 before declaring in the second session.

Let's hear from the debutant - Manav Suthar says that he was looking to back his strength and hit the right areas as the wicket is conducive for the spinners. Adds that he was looking to turn the ball and hit a consistent spot, which helped him. Manav shares that playing for India is a dream come true, and it feels good to contribute for the side, but there is still a lot left to be done.

India tighten their grip - A wicket in the dying embers caps off another commanding day for Shubman Gill and his men. Afghanistan continue to face an uphill battle in this Test as India first piled on the misery with the bat and then backed it up with the ball.

OUT! CAUGHT AND BOWLED! Afsar Zazai stands there in disbelief. Another one drifting into the batter, and turning away after pitching. This kept low as well. Zazai rocks onto his back foot and looks to play the pull. Gets a leading edge towards the bowler. Manav Suthar moves to his right, settles himself underneath it and holds onto it for his 3rd wicket. This will also be STUMPS ON DAY 2.

Manav comes from over the stumps, bowls it full and around off. Afsar Zazai gets close to the pitch of the ball and keeps it out.

Fuller around off, Afsar defends this off his front foot.

Length dragged back from Manav around middle and off, Afsar Zazai blocks this off his back foot.

Flighted, around off, Zazai blocks this off his front foot.

Pushed through on middle and off, Rahmat Shah rocks onto his back foot and keeps it out.

Full and around off, Rahmat Shah keeps it out with a push back to the bowler.

Fuller around off, Afsar Zazai dabs this off the outer half through point for one.

Shorter from Washington, on middle and leg. Zazai hops up on his toes and keeps it out.

Quicker one, on middle and leg, Zazai nudges this to the left of short leg.

Flighted, around off, Zazai comes down the track and tucks this to mid-wicket.

Tossed up, around off, Afsar Zazai blocks this to silly point. Dhruv Jurel flicks the ball towards the keeper but it goes well wide and that allows the batters to run a single here.

Fuller around off, Afsar Zazai blocks this off his front foot.

Arm-delivery, on middle and off, Zazai stabs it down off his back foot.

Zazai is playing a risky game by going onto his back foot against Manav. Floated up, around off, Afsar Zazai goes deep inside the crease and blocks this out.

Fired on off, Afsar Zazai dabs this to point off his back foot.

Tossed up, wide of off, turning away from the batter. Afsar Zazai leaves it.

Full and on the pads, Rahmat flicks this to short mid-wicket. This was flicked in the air but well short of the fielder.

Quicker and flatter around off, Rahmat tucks this to the leg side.

SIX! Good use of the feet. Pushed through around the off stump, Rahmat Shah shimmies down the track and smashes this up and over the bowler into the fence towards the sight screen.

A bit of turn, on a length, on middle. Rahmat Shah defends it out.

Full and on middle, steered to backward point.

Sundar is back with a change of ends. Serves it full, on off. Rahmat gets forward to block.

Fuller around off, Afsar Zazai blocks this out.

Aerial, but it does not carry! A lot of grip and bounce on offer for Manav again as he bowls this around that nagging length on off, turning away from the batter. Zazai cuts, but it goes uppishly off the outer half towards the backward point region. Siraj moves to his right and dives in front, but gathers this on the half-volley.

Arm-delivery, on middle and leg, Zazai jams it off the inner portion of his bat to square leg.

Much slower, short of a length as well and in the line of the stumps. Zazai blocks this off his front foot.

Quicker and fuller around off, Afsar Zazai keeps it out.

Manav drifts one in and turns it away after pitching. Afsar Zazai defends this off his front foot.

Manav Suthar is back with about 17 minutes left in the day's play. 13-6-20-2 so far for the debutant.

Right in the channel, on off, around that good length area. Rahmat Shah dabs this to point.

A well-directed bumper, on middle and leg, Rahmat Shah ducks down.

Pitched-up delivery, around off, Rahmat Shah drives this past the diving mid off fielder who makes a half-stop for one.

Hard length, around off, Rahmat dabs this to point.

Back of a length, around off, Rahmat Shah defends this to covers.

Short pitched, around middle and leg, Afsar Zazai flicks this through backward square leg for a single.

Short of a length, quicker and onto the pads, Rahmat tucks this past the right of the fielder at short leg.

Tossed up, around off, Rahmat Shah prods in front and keeps it out.

Flatter and fuller, around off, Shah rocks back and keeps it out.

Pushed through on off, Rahmat Shah blocks this off his front foot.

FOUR! Excellently driven. Floated up, on off, Rahmat brings his front foot close to the line of the ball and drives it through the gap between mid off and extra cover for four runs. The 100 is up for Afghanistan.

Short and wide outside off, Rahmat cuts this to backward point.

Hard length, on top of off, Afsar Zazai blocks this out.

Krishna bowls this full and around off, Afsar Zazai blocks this off his front foot. Zazai is playing with hard hands, so India might strengthen their slip cordon.

Good length, around off, Afsar Zazai thumps this off his front foot towards the left of the bowler.

Yorker, first up to the Afghanistan wicketkeeper batter. Afsar Zazai keeps it out.

Afsar Zazai is the next batter to bat for Afghanistan.

OUT! LBW! Gone this time? Shahidi takes his time before going for the review. Angled in from around the wicket, on a good length, on middle and leg. Hashmatullah is caught in the crease and brings his bat forward to play the line of the ball. He is beaten on the inside edge and wears it on the front pad. No bat involved, the replays confirm. The Ball Tracking confirms that the ball would have crashed into the leg stump. It is three reds, and the on-field decision is upheld. Afghanistan lose their skipper and they are now 4 down for 98, needing 267 more runs to avoid the follow-on. The tourists are 466 runs away from parity.

FOUR! Easy pickings! A loosener by Prasidh, full and wide on off. Hashmatullah Shahidi needs no second invitation. He leans into the drive and strokes it through cover-point for a four.

Prasidh Krishna replaces Mohammed Siraj in the attack.

Turning back into the right-hander, fuller and on middle. Rahmat squeezes out an inside edge onto the pads and the ball dribbles behind towards the keeper.

Fuller and on off, driven to long off for a single.

Darted in at the pads, on a good length. Kept out watchfully by Shahidi.

Shorter and on off, Hashmatullah Shahidi stabs it down off the back foot.

Given LBW but successfully overturned! Sliding on with the arm, on a length, attacking the front pad. Shahidi presses forward for the block and is rapped on the front pad. This looks straight, and it has been given, but Hashmatullah has reviewed it. The Afghanistan skipper looks pretty confident. Was there an inside edge? Oh, yes, the replays and the UltraEdge confirm the inside edge. The on-field decision gets overturned.

Drifting in from around the wicket, full and on middle. This is firmly driven back to the bowler.

Washington Sundar comes into the attack.

At 135.9 kph, on the fuller side, Shah defends it right under his eyes.

Pushes the length up slightly, on off. Rahmat covers the line and plays it to the right of the bowler.

Hits the top of off, on a back of a length. Rahmat glides it to backward point.

Brave leave! Tailing back in, on a length, just outside the off stump. Shah shoulders arms without covering the off stump and the ball whistles past the timber.

Goes full this time, on off. Rahmat presses forward to pat it to cover.

Steams in from over the wicket with a short mid on in place. Lands it on a back of a length, on middle. Shah taps it down the strip.

Beaten! Back to over the wicket, fired in on a good length, outside off. Hashmatullah Shahidi plays for the turn, but the ball keeps straight to go past the outside edge.

Flat and short, on middle. Hashmatullah presses back to keep it out.

Fuller from around the wicket, spinning back in, on middle. Shahidi is solid in defence.

Turning down leg, Hashmatullah pads it away.

Slows it down and drags the length back, on middle. Shahidi tucks it on the bounce to short leg.

Pushed through, full and on off. Hashmatullah Shahidi rocks back for the block.

Siraj finds a bit of reverse, around the off stump, on a good length. Shah covers the line and stabs it down on the off side.

Brings the stumps into play, on a length. Hashmatullah nudges it wide of mid-wicket and turns the strike over.

In the channel, on a length. This is angled to backward point.

FOUR! Top edge but safe. Siraj digs it on a hard length, over off, Hashmatullah Shahidi pivots on the back foot for the pull. This kicks up a bit to catch the top edge. It flies over the keeper's head for a four.

Dug in short, on off. Shahidi swivels for the pull but it comes on slower than he expected. Toe-ends it to the right of the bowler.

Hurls it on a good length, on the off stump. Hashmatullah Shahidi stabs it down on the off side.

Just about kept out! Arm ball by Manav, on a good length, on off and middle. Rahmat Shah adjusts to the low bounce and keeps it out.

Short again, outside off. Rahmat shapes up to cut but is beaten by the turn.

Shorter and on off. Shah stabs it down on the off side.

FOUR! Oh, that nearly sneaked through. Full and speared in, on middle. Rahmat Shah leans on to drive it through the off side. Gets an inside edge and it races down to deep fine leg for a boundary. That brings up 1000 runs in Test cricket for Rahmat. He becomes the first Afghan batter to reach the landmark, informs Murali Kartik.

Flighted up, on off. Shahidi knocks it wide of cover and crosses over.

This keeps low. Drops it short, on off. Rahmat hops back to punch it to the right of point for a single.

A bit fuller now, on the off stump. Hashmatullah Shahidi defends it close to his body.

Good length, around off, Hashmatullah Shahidi blocks this with a straight bat.

The ball seems to have lost its shape and is no longer passing through the gauge. The fourth umpire is out with the box of balls. While the replacement gets picked, the umpires have called for a drinks break. It is turning into a stern examination for the Afghanistan batters against India's spinners. Rahmat Shah has looked the more assured of the two batters, and the tourists would ideally like to get through to the close without any further damage. Mohammed Siraj has been brought back into the attack in the hope of extracting some reverse swing with the old ball. He is all set to resume after the break.

Siraj comes around the stumps and bowls it on a good length, around off. Hashmatullah Shahidi blocks this to mid off.

Good length, around off, a hint of away swing on offer. Hashmatullah Shahidi keeps it out.

Full and onto the pads, Hashmatullah Shahidi pushes this to the left of the bowler.

Good length, around off, Hashmatullah Shahidi defends this off his back foot.

WIDE! Bumper, a tad too high on the batter. Hashmatullah Shahidi leaves it. Wide called by the umpire.

Pace back on as Mohammed Siraj returns.

Full and on off, Rahmat Shah blocks this off his front foot.

A gentle appeal for LBW, but the umpire turns it down. Shubman Gill has opted for DRS. Quicker one, around off, turning away from the batter. Rahmat Shah comes onto his front foot and blocks this out. Rahmat has the tendency to keep his bat behind the pads as he blocks, and that has forced Gill to opt for DRS. Replays and the UltraEdge don't show anything convincing to suggest that it is pad first. The on-field decision stands. India lose a review.

FOUR! A lot of grip and bounce here for Manav Suthar. Quicker one, around off, slightly short of a length. Rahmat Shah rocks back to cut this one but the ball gets a bit of extra purchase and the top edge this over the fielder at first slip for a boundary towards the third man region.

Full and on off, Rahmat Shah keeps it out off his front foot.

A lot of drift back into the batter, turning away a touch after pitching. Rahmat Shah looks to block this but gets beaten on the outside edge.

Fuller and flatter on off, Rahmat Shah blocks this out.

FOUR! Back-to-back boundaries to end the over. Full and on the pads, Hashmatullah Shahidi flicks this well in front of square towards the deep mid-wicket region for four runs. Afghanistan trail by 487 runs. 288 more needed to avoid the follow-on.

DROPPED, FOUR! A genuine outside edge induced by Kuldeep Yadav, but KL Rahul at first slip grasses the chance. Kuldeep drags the length back and bowls this on a nagging length, around off, turning away from the batter. Hashmatullah Shahidi comes onto his front foot and looks to block this, but gets an outside edge. The ball goes low towards Rahul around his left boot. He is late to get down, and the ball clips his fingertips before racing to the third man region for four.

Kuldeep gives this a lot more air, bowls it full and on off, Hashmatullah Shahidi blocks this out.

Tossed up, around off, Hashmatullah Shahidi drives this past the bowler to mid off.

Taken on the second attempt! Is it off the bat? Flighted, wide outside off, draws the batter into the drive. The ball turns away after pitching, beats the outside edge of the batter and Rishabh Pant grabs this on the juggle. A lot of chatter to send this upstairs for DRS regarding caught behind but India decide against it. There was a noise, but it seemed to be from the bat hitting the turf.

Fuller around off, turning away from the batter. Shahidi blocks this to silly point.

Tossed up, around off, Shahidi presses close to the pitch of the ball and drives this to the right of extra cover for a single. Hashmatullah gets off the mark on the 17th delivery he has faced.

Manav attacks the pads of Shahidi with a quicker one, on middle and leg, Hashmatullah tucks this to backward square leg.

Fired wide of off, Hashmatullah Shahidi leaves it all alone.

Quicker one, on middle and off, Hashmatullah Shahidi keeps it out.

Fuller around off, Hashmatullah Shahidi puts on the dancing shoes and comes down the track. He slogs at it but miscues it towards a slightly deep mid-wicket. Shahidi is yet to get off the mark.

Darted onto the pads, Hashmatullah Shahidi clips this to mid-wicket.

Tossed up, around off, Rahmat Shah blocks it to mid-wicket.

FOUR! This is a loose ball from Kuldeep Yadav and Rahmat makes him pay. A drag down, wide of off, Rahmat Shah hops quickly onto his back foot and punches this through the covers region for a boundary.

Nicely tossed up, around off, Rahmat Shah defends this off his front foot.

Kuldeep drags his length back here, bowls it outside off. Rahmat Shah defends this to silly point.

Tossed up, around off, Shah drives this to the bowler's left. Kuldeep puts in a dive and fields it.

Flatter and fuller around off, Rahmat Shah rocks back and blocks this out.

Gives it a lot more air, does Manav, bowls it full and outside off. Hashmatullah Shahidi dabs this to short third.

Fuller around off, Hashmatullah Shahidi blocks this around covers.

Tossed up, around off, Hashmatullah Shahidi gets on top of the bounce and keeps it out.

Pushed through on off, Hashmatullah Shahidi keeps it out.

Quicker one, around off, turning back into the batter. Hashmatullah Shahidi tucks this to mid-wicket.

Fuller around off, Shah blocks this off his front foot.

Flighted, around off, Shahidi drives this to short cover.

Quicker one, around off, Hashmatullah Shahidi blocks this out.

Half a chance for the bowler. Tossed up, around off, Rahmat jumps close to the pitch of the ball and lofts this over the bowler for a single down to long on. Kuldeep Yadav does put in a jump but ends up getting nowhere close to the ball.

Shah is looking a lot more confident against Kuldeep. Maybe Yadav needs to come around the stumps here to just unsettle him. Full and on off, Shah keeps it out.

Flighted around off, Rahmat Shah defends this off his front foot this time.

Fuller at a quicker pace, around off, Shah blocks this off his back foot.

Fuller, around off, Hashmatullah Shahidi has had enough of blocking around and he shimmies down the track and swings at it. The ball hits the bottom of his bat and rolls to mid-wicket.

Tossed up, around off, Hashmatullah Shahidi presses onto his front foot and keeps it out.

Pushed through around off, HS rocks back and keeps it out.

Quicker and flatter around off, Hashmatullah Shahidi blocks this off his back foot.

The Afghanistan skipper, Hashmatullah Shahidi makes his way out to bat.

OUT! CAUGHT! Gurbaz has to take the long walk back as Manav gets his second wicket. Perfect seam position angling towards the slip cordon, flighted, around off. The ball lands outside off and turns away from the batter. Rahmanullah Gurbaz looks to dab this towards the silly point area, but the ball catches an outside edge and travels low to the right of Sai Sudharsan at second slip. Sai is placed there closer than usual with a helmet. He gets low, goes with both hands and holds onto it. Afghanistan are 62/3, trailing by 502 runs. 303 runs more are needed to avoid the follow-on.

Pushed through on off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz blocks this off his front foot.

Full, around off, Rahmat Shah pushes this from the inner portion of his bat back to the bowler.

Quicker and fuller on off, Rahmat Shah defends this off his back foot.

FOUR! Wrong'un from Kuldeep Yadav is read well by Rahmat Shah. The batter rocks onto his back foot and punches this through the covers region for a boundary here.

Flighted, on middle. This is driven back to the bowler.

This is on the fuller side, on off. Gurbaz works it in front of mid off for one.

Tossed up, around off, Rahmat Shah pushes this wide of point for a single.

DRINKS! It has been a phase of play where Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Rahmat Shah have negated the threat of Indian spinners really well. Afghanistan are way behind the Indian total but they are slowly and steadily building to something substantial. At 56 for 2 after 18 overs, Afghanistan will be hoping that they end the day without losing any further wickets, whereas India will be looking to make inroads.

Nearly sneaked through! Sliding on with the angle, full and on middle. Rahmanullah Gurbaz presses forward and ekes out an inside edge onto the pads while trying to defend.

Coming in with the arm, on a length, on middle and leg. Gurbaz tickles it to short fine leg.

Floated up, around off, Gurbaz pads it away.

Pushed through, on a good length, on the pads. Rahmanullah turns it to backward square leg.

Fuller now, on off, a bit of turn. Gurbaz lunges to smother the spin.

Short and on off. Rahmanullah goes on the back foot and stabs it down watchfully.

Bowled with a flatter trajectory, on a length, on middle and leg. Rahmat Shah rocks back to keep it out.

Offers flight, full and wide on off. Shah reaches out and firms the drive to mid off.

Flighted, full and on off. Rahmat pushes it to mid off.

Turning back into the pads, on a good length. Shah works it to mid-wicket.

Stays short, on off, Shah goes back and punches it from the crease wide of cover for a couple of runs.

Drops it short and slow, on middle. Rahmat taps it back to the bowler.

Full and at the pads, Shah wrists it through mid-wicket for a single.

Stays nice and full, on middle. Shah defends by getting forward.

Half a shout for LBW! Fired in full, on off and middle. Rahmat Shah advances down the track and plays it back to the bowler. Suthar goes up in an appeal, as does Shubman Gill, with both feeling it was pad first. Gill thought about it but opted against the review. The replays show that it was pad first, but the impact was umpire's call (over 3 metres). So, the decision would have been upheld even if India had reviewed it.

Pushes it through, on a good length, on the off stump. Rahmat makes room to punch it away but the man at silly point gets in the way, who cops it on the shin.

Shorter and on middle. Rahmat goes back to block it out.

Angled in from around the wicket, on a length. Shah tries to defend but it goes off the outer half to point.

Looped up, full and on middle. Rahmanullah Gurbaz checks his drive and plays it a bit uppishly but it drops well in front of Kuldeep.

Slows it down now. Short and on middle. Gurbaz makes room and jams it out on the off side.

FOUR! Off the edge! Sliding across the right-hander, full in length. Rahmanullah Gurbaz pushes out in front with hard hands. The ball catches an outside edge and evades KL Rahul at slip to his right for a four. The 50 is up for Afghanistan.

Short and on off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz pats it down on the off side.

Flatter and shorter, on middle. Rahmanullah Gurbaz plays down the wrong line, perhaps expecting it to be a googly. The ball spins past the inside edge to catch him on the front pad.

Tossed up, on off. Gurbaz pushes it back to the bowler with a straight bat.

Did that carry? Suthar dishes out a flighted delivery, full and on off. Rahmat Shah shimmies down the track to get to the pitch of the ball. He plays an uppish drive, but the ball drops short of Yashasvi Jaiswal at cover.

Speared in at the toes. Gurbaz tucks it wide of square leg and crosses over.

This keeps a bit low. Not all that short, outside off. Rahmanullah Gurbaz makes room to force it through the off side. Chops it down on the strip off a bottom edge.

Full and at the sticks. Gurbaz leans across to nurdle it to backward square leg.

Turn and bounce! Keeps it short, on off. Gurbaz hangs his bat out away from the body and is beaten as the ball spins away with a bit of extra bounce.

Short and on off, chopped to point.

Back to bowling it fuller and gives the ball a bit of air, on off. Rahmat advances and dabs it down.

FOUR! Wonderfully played. Fractionally short, spinning back into the right-hander. Shah is quick to pick up the length and he goes deep in the crease. Punches it all along the ground to the left of mid off for his first boundary.

This is quicker through the air, full and on off. Shah defends it with the bat being close to the front pad.

A bit too full this time, on middle, driven to mid off.

Flighted delivery, turning back into the right-hander, on middle. Shah brings his bat forward to stab it down.

Drops it a bit short, on the off stump. Shah makes room and punches it well but straight to cover.

Kuldeep Yadav replaces Prasidh Krishna in the attack.

Shorter and on off. Rahmanullah stays back to keep it out.

Edged, but it falls short. A bit quicker through the air, on a good length, on off. Gurbaz tries to block it with soft hands. Shubman Gill at second slip is in really tight with the helmet on, but the ball does not carry to him.

Turning away a bit, on a length, on off. Rahmanullah leans forward to smother the spin.

This is fuller, outside off, and let through by Gurbaz.

Spinning away, on a length, on off. Rahmanullah Gurbaz gets on the front foot and dabs it to silly point.

Short and darted in at the pads. Rahmanullah Gurbaz rocks back to play the tickle. It goes off the pads towards short fine leg.

Tailing back in, bowled on a length, on off and middle. Rahmat Shah flicks it to mid-wicket.

Fractionally wide, on the shorter side. Shah stands tall and knocks it off the back foot through covers for a couple of runs.

Hits the top of off, on a good length. Rahmat defends it right under his eyes.

Fuller and on a length, Shah offers no shot.

Beaten! On a hard length, outside off. Shah hops back and has a feel for the delivery. Gets beaten on the outside edge.

Serves it full, on off. Rahmat Shah presses forward and stabs it down.

Sliding onto the pads, Gurbaz clips this full ball in front of backward square leg. He is keen for a quick single but is sent back by his partner.

At 91.3 kph, attacking the front pad. Gurbaz lunges forward and defends it well.

Stays short, on off, Gurbaz taps it to cover.

Shorter now, on middle. Rahmanullah goes deep in the crease to defend.

Fine stop! Tossed up, full and on middle. Gurbaz reaches out in front and sweeps well but Prasidh Krishna at backward square leg, dives to his left to save a certain boundary.

Misjudgement in length. Pushed through, on a length, on off. Gurbaz rocks back but was better off being forward. It spins away sharply to beat him on the outside edge.

Nice and full, on middle. Rahmat does not try to overhit this one and just shows the full face of the blade. He eases it down the ground, to the left of mid on. Washington Sundar goes after it and slides to prevent the boundary. Shah is off the mark with a couple of runs.

Fuller and on off. Rahmat pushes it to mid off.

Rahmat Shah walks out at 4 for Afghanistan.

OUT! CLEANED HIM UP! A long look at the pitch by Sediqullah Atal before he trudges off. First Test wicket in India for Prasidh Krishna. It is that nip-backer by Krishna, on a good length from around the wicket. It lands just outside the off stump, and Atal presses across to keep it out. The ball jags back in to go past the inside edge. It goes through the gap between the bat and the pad and shatters the stumps. Afghanistan are now 40/2, trailing by 524 runs with the figure to avoid the follow-on being 365.

Angled in at the pads, on a good length. Sediqullah nudges it to mid-wicket.

FOUR! A fortuitous boundary! Krishna bowls it full, outside off. Atal pushes away from his body. Gets an outside edge, but it goes wide of gully to his left for a boundary.

Hurls it full and on the off stump. Atal strokes it to cover off the front foot.

Coming in with the arm, short and on the off stump. Gurbaz hops back and chops it down on the off side.

Shorter now, on off. Gurbaz hangs back to defend.

SIX! Courageous shot! Suthar stays full and this is quicker through the air, on off and middle. Rahmanullah Gurbaz gets a good stride in and takes the risk of going against the turn. He sweeps it hard and over square leg for a flat six.

Edged, but it does not carry. Keeps it nice and full, on off and middle. Gurbaz leans on for the block. He does so with soft hands. That results in the outside edge not carrying to KL Rahul at first slip.

Nicely bowled. Gives it a bit of air, fuller and on middle. Gurbaz gets forward but the ball drops on him before spinning past the outside edge.

Floated up, on off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz gets forward to defend.

Delivers it on a back of a length, on middle. Atal nudges it behind square to the right of deep fine leg for a couple of runs.

Just outside the off stump, this is on a good length. A watchful leave by Sediqullah.

Targets the off pole with a good-length delivery. Atal covers the line and solidly defends.

Pushes the length up, on off. Atal attempts the drive but plays across the line of the ball. It drops off the outer half on the off side.

Bowls it in the channel, on a good length. Sediqullah Atal shoulders arms.

Hits the back of a length from around the wicket, on off. Atal stands tall, rides the bounce and pats it down on the off side.

Manav Suthar delivers a wicket maiden to start his Test career. Prasidh Krishna will be bowling from the other end.

Flatter and shorter now, on middle. Gurbaz presses back and pushes it to cover.

Beaten! Drifting back in from around the wicket, full and on the off stump. Gurbaz leans forward for the block but is beaten as the ball rips past the outside edge.

We are all set for the post-Tea session to get underway. Shubman Gill leads his men out onto the park. Rahmanullah Gurbaz has joined Sediqullah Atal out in the middle. Manav Suthar has two balls left in his over. Two slips and a short leg in place. Let's play...

... DAY 2, SESSION 3 ...

Late strike dents Afghanistan's positive start - With only a brief period left before the Tea break, the Afghanistan openers walked out with a watchful approach. Just as it looked like Afghanistan would walk into the break unscathed, debutant Manav Suthar was introduced into the attack in the 6th over and immediately struck, removing opener Abdul Malik. The late breakthrough severely dented the visitors' early momentum, leaving Afghanistan at 28 for 1 at the interval. While India remains firmly in control, the upcoming final session promises an intriguing battle as the Indian spinners look to exploit a track already offering visible assistance. We will be back at 2.30 pm IST (9 am GMT) for the final session of the day.

Saleem’s six-wicket haul - Amid the Indian onslaught, fast bowler Mohammad Saleem was the absolute standout performer for the visitors. Saleem bowled with great heart to claim his maiden five-wicket haul in Test cricket, finishing with exceptional figures of 6 wickets. Captain Hashmatullah Shahidi and pacer Ziaur Rahman chipped in with one wicket apiece. Despite Saleem’s heroic efforts, the sheer depth of the Indian batting line-up ensured the hosts stayed firmly in the driver's seat.

Solid start to Day 2 - Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant started the morning session with supreme confidence. The duo comfortably handled the early morning conditions to extend their formidable partnership to 169 runs. Shubman Gill, looking solid and imperial, was eventually dismissed for a masterful 126. His departure ended a crucial stand that had already put India in a position of complete command. Debutant Manav Suthar enjoyed a highly impressive first outing with the bat, chipping in with a valuable 28 runs. Washington Sundar was sensational as ever, anchoring the lower-order surge with a brilliant, unbeaten 52. That allowed India to declare their first innings at a towering 564 for 8 in the afternoon session.

TEA ON DAY 2 - As the debutant gets his maiden scalp, the umpires have decided to take Tea. The Afghanistan opening pair looked solid until the introduction of spin. Things are bound to get more and more difficult for the visitors, as India will have a quality spin trio of Manav Suthar, Washington Sundar, and Kuldeep Yadav.

OUT! CAUGHT! Manav Suthar has his maiden Test wicket. A moment to remember for the young man. Floated up by Suthar, on a length, on off. Abdul Malik reaches out in front and goes hard on the sweep. He fails to roll his wrists over the ball and get on top of the bounce. The hard, new ball kicks up a bit to catch the top edge. It balloons behind on the leg side. Mohammed Siraj runs in from backward square leg, and KL Rahul also converges from first slip by running to his left. A bit of miscommunication, but Siraj goes for the catch eventually, as he gets low and takes the catch around his ankle. Afghanistan are 28/1, trailing by 536 runs.

More turn. Turning away sharply, on a nagging length, outside off. Abdul lets it go.

Shorter and around off, turning away. Malik does not go searching for the ball and plays inside the line but misses.

Goes past the bat! Flighted delivery, full and outside off, Malik is drawn forward but the ball spins away to beat him on the outside edge.

Time for the debutant to roll his arm over. Manav Suthar is called into action.

Back to over the wicket, on a length, on the off stump. Sediqullah covers the line and stabs it down.

FOUR! Lovely shot! Siraj comes from around the wicket and dishes out a full ball, outside off. Atal leans into the drive and plays it all along the ground between cover and mid off for his second boundary.

Drags the length back and pushes it across. Atal presses forward and drops his bat down on the ball. It goes off the outer half to point.

Fuller on off, Sediqullah slices it to backward point.

Fuller and on off. Atal dabs it to point off the front foot.

FOUR! Edged away! Going across the left-hander, on a length. Atal does well not to push at the ball with hard hands. He tries to block it with soft hands. It goes behind on the bounce off an outside edge and beats the diving KL Rahul at second slip for a four.

Goes full at 141.4 kph, on off. Sediqullah squeezes it out wide of point for a run.

At the sticks, on a good length. Sediqullah Atal blocks it out by getting behind the line of the ball.

From around the wicket, on a nagging length, on off. Atal defends it watchfully.

No ball! Served on a good length, on off and middle. Abdul Malik tries to cover the line but the ball moves back off the deck. Ekes out an inside edge onto the pads and the batters cross over as the ball drops beside the strip on the leg side. The siren goes off as Prasidh has overstepped.

Pushes the length up now, on off. Abdul gets right behind the line to defend.

FOUR! Off the edge! Delivers it on a back of a length, over off. Malik presents a straight bat and defends it with soft hands. The outside edge goes down and past gully's left for a boundary.

Not far away from the off stump. At 139.5 kph, on a good length, just outside the off stump. Abdul Malik makes the leave.

A bit fuller, inviting the drive, outside off, Atal shoulders arms.

Beaten again! Angling away, on a length. Sediqullah is drawn forward but is beaten as the ball cuts away off the deck.

Leaving the left-hander and this is bowled fuller. Sediqullah brings his bat out in front but the ball leaves him to go past the outside edge.

Attacking the front pad with a good-length ball. Abdul leans across and nudges it towards square leg for a single.

FOUR! And again! This is fuller, but Siraj once again drifts onto the pads. Malik stays balanced at the crease and clips it to the right of mid-wicket for four more.

FOUR! Nicely clipped! At 135.6 kph, slightly too straight, on the pads, on a good length. Malik lets the ball come to him and flicks it off the pads through square leg for a four.

Across off, on a short of a length. Atal defends it close to his body.

On the pads, on a back of a length. Atal hangs back and flicks it through square leg for a couple of runs to open his account.

Angled in at the sticks now and the length stays full, Abdul gets on the front foot and taps it back towards the bowler. Krishna sticks out his left hand but can't make the stop. It dribbles towards mid off and the batters cross over.

Serves it slightly fuller, outside off. Malik offers no shot. The ball carries to Rishabh Pant around the shoelaces.

Moving away in the air a touch, on a length, outside off. Malik lets it go.

Begins with a full ball, honing in on the off stump. Abdul presses half-forward and brings his bat forward to defend.

Prasidh Krishna will bowl from the other end. This is Prasidh's first Test in India, informs Murali Kartik.

Hard length, on off, Atal gets right behind the line of it and keeps it out.

Good length, around off, angling across the southpaw again. Atal flirts with it by pushing at it but gets beaten.

Wobble seam ball from Siraj, full and taking it across the batter. Sediqullah Atal pokes at it but gets beaten.

Abdul Malik and Afghanistan are underway with a single. Good length, on the pads, Malik flicks this to fine leg for one.

Siraj drags his length further down, bowls this back of a length, on off. Abdul Malik rocks onto his back foot and keeps it out.

Siraj pitches it on a good length, angling down the leg side. Abdul Malik tucks this to square leg.

Attacks the stumps with a length ball and Kuldeep Yadav is solid in defence.

Bowled into the surface, outside off. Sundar hops and drags the pull through square leg for a single.

Drifting down leg, on a back of a length. Sundar swivels and swings to get it away on the leg side but misses.

Nails the yorker, on middle. Washington digs it out.

FOUR! That brings up a FIFTY for Washington Sundar, his 6th in Test cricket. Washington continues to impress with the bat in this format. Fuller in length, on middle. Sundar stays balanced and brings his wrists into play to flick it between mid-wicket and mid on for a four.

SIX! Effortless! Fractionally short, angled in from around the wicket. Sundar stands tall and pummels it over square leg for a biggie.

Darted in with the arm, on a length, on middle. Kuldeep brings his bat out in front to stab it down.

Keeps it slow but drags the length back, on off. Washington works it through mid-wicket and crosses over.

Floated up again, at the sticks. Washington defends it out.

Loopy ball, full and on off. Kuldeep slices it to the right of point and hurries to the other end.

Even slower this time and fuller, on off. Kuldeep lunges for the block.

Short and slow, on off. Kuldeep keeps it out from the crease.

Time for spin again as Hashmatullah Shahidi brings himself into the attack.

Sprayed at the hips, Kuldeep nudges it through square leg and keeps the strike with a single.

Good-length delivery, on the off stump. Kuldeep drives it on the up to point.

Banged in short, outside off, Kuldeep sways away from the line of the ball.

FOUR! Good shot. On the fuller side, outside off. Kuldeep leans into the stroke and angles the drive with an open bat face to the left of backward point for a boundary. 550 comes up for India.

Pitches it up now, on middle. Kuldeep wrists it to square leg.

Delivers it on a short of a length, on off. Washington punches it to deep cover and gets to the other end.

Lands it on a length, on off. Kuldeep leans across to block but ekes out an inside edge onto the pads. A maiden from Rahman, only his 2nd of the innings.

A bit fuller, attacking the front pad. Yadav flicks but can't get it past Nangeyalia Kharote at short square leg.

Bowled by going wide on the crease, on a back of a length, on off. Kuldeep dabs it to backward point.

Very full, a hint of tail back into the left-hander, outside off. Kuldeep goes for the drive but squeezes out an inside edge. The ball bounces off the turf and drops beside him to his right.

Hurls it on a good length, outside off. Kuldeep shoulders arms.

Serves it full and on off, Sundar extends his hands on the drive. Rahmat Shah lets it through at cover and concedes a single.

DRINKS BREAK! India added 69 runs in the first half of the session and are closing in on the 550-run mark. One gets the feeling that unless India are bowled out, they might look to bat for another half an hour or so and then have a crack at Afghanistan before the Tea break. Mohammad Saleem has continued to give it everything in testing conditions. Even with the older ball, he has managed to find some movement off the surface and has been Afghanistan's most consistent threat.

Full and wide of off, Kuldeep Yadav leaves it.

Around that nagging length again, outside off, Kuldeep Yadav looks to poke at it but gets beaten on the outside edge.

Bouncer this time from Saleem. Yadav ducks down.

Hard length, on the pads, Kuldeep Yadav blocks this with a straight bat.

Another one from Saleem. Good length, around off, moving a shade away from the batter. Kuldeep Yadav plays close to his body and the ball beats him on the outside edge.

Absolute beauty from Mohammad Saleem. Hits the deck hard, bowls it around off, in the corridor of uncertainty. Kuldeep Yadav plays within the line and gets beaten on the outside edge.

Another one, where the bowler errs in line and bowls this length delivery down the leg side. Sundar goes for a flick but misses out.

Ziaur bowls this on a good length, going down the leg side. Kuldeep Yadav flicks this to fine leg for a run.

On a length, around off, Yadav pushes this back to the bowler from the bottom of his bat.

Full and wide of off, Kuldeep pushes this to short covers.

Back of a length, on the pads, Washington Sundar flicks this to the left of deep square leg for one.

Good length, on middle and leg, Kuldeep flicks this through fine leg for one.

Short stuff, around off, Washington Sundar gets up on his toes and blocks this to point.

Saleem is steaming in at 145.1 kph in this scorching heat. Bowls it on a length, around middle and off, Kuldeep tucks this through square leg for one.

A dent in the middle stump by the blow, but the umpires feel that no replacement is needed. Kuldeep Yadav is in at number 10.

OUT! TIMBER! The party is over for Siraj with the bat as he gets cleaned up. You miss, I hit stuff from Saleem as he dishes one on a good length and in the line of the stumps. Mohammed Siraj goes for a wild hoick but misses completely. The ball nips back to go past the inside edge before uprooting the middle pole. Mohammad Saleem gets his 6th scalp of the game.

FOUR! Well-o-well, Siraj is putting on a show here. Short and around off, Mohammed Siraj arches a shade back and plays a late cut to steer the red cherry through the gully region for a boundary.

Hard length, on middle and off, Sundar guides this square on off in the gap for one.

Good length, on off, Sundar blocks this out.

Pushed through around off, Siraj is beaten while trying to defend.

Full and around off, turning away from the batter, Siraj goes for a slog sweep but misses.

FOUR! Siraj is toying around with young Kharote. Short of a length, around off, Mohammed Siraj rocks back inside the crease and plays the square cut well. The ball races through point for a boundary. The fielder at sweeper cover did give it a chase but he had the ball in his hands while touching the boundary cushion. Siraj moves to 18, which is now his highest Test score.

FOUR! It nearly went the distance. Quicker one, around off, Siraj shuffles across and thumps this over mid on for a boundary this time. Siraj is having fun out in the middle with the bat for now.

SIX! Siraj has cleared the fence with ease. Tossed up, around middle and off, Mohammed Siraj clears his front foot, and plants it towards the leg side to slog this over the deep mid-wicket fence for a huge six.

A loud shout for caught behind, but turned down. Tossed up, around off, turning away from the batter. Mohammed Siraj goes down on a knee and looks for the slog sweep but misses. Hashmatullah Shahidi checks with the men around the bat before sending this upstairs. Nothing on the UltraEdge as the ball passes the bat, and the on-field decision stays. Afghanistan have no reviews left.

LEG BYE! Good length, down the leg side. Siraj misses out on the tickle and the ball clips his pads before going down to fine leg for a leg bye.

Hurls it on a good length, around off, Sundar guides this through backward point for a run.

On a length, tailing back into the batter. Sundar drives this to mid on.

Short and on off, Washington Sundar blocks this out.

FOUR! Saleem goes a touch too full and on the pads, Sundar leans on and flicks this through the gap between mid on and mid-wicket for four runs.

Good length, on off, Sundar doesn't offer any stroke at it.

Fired around off, Siraj leaves it.

FOUR! Juicy full toss, on the pads, Mohammed Siraj flicks this through the mid-wicket region to get off the mark with a boundary.

Quicker one, on middle and off, Sundar works this down to long on for one.

Floated wide of off, Washington Sundar leaves it, offering only his front pad at it.

Tossed up, on middle and leg, Sundar flicks this to mid-wicket.

Fuller around off, Sundar tucks this back to the bowler.

Time for spin as Nangeyalia Kharote comes on.

Back of a length, around off, Mohammed Siraj rocks onto his back foot and blocks this out.

Mohammed Siraj comes in next.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Saleem gets his maiden five-wicket haul in Test cricket. Pitched-up delivery at 144 kph, around off, tempting the batter to come onto his front foot and play the expansive drive. Suthar does fall into the trap of temptation and goes for it. Gets an outside edge, and the keeper, Afsar Zazai, takes a regulation catch. With the end of this 54-run stand, India are now 510/7.

Saleem attacks the stumps with a fuller one, on off, Manav Suthar blocks this off his front foot.

Full and around off, Sundar punches this crisply through covers for a run.

Back of a length, on off, Sundar keeps it out.

Beaten on the outside edge. Around that nagging length, on off, shaping the ball away from the batter. Sundar has a poke at it away from his body but gets beaten.

On a length, around middle and off, Suthar defends this off his front foot.

Good length, around off, Washington Sundar dabs this to deep third for one.

Short and around off, Washington Sundar leaves it.

Azmatullah goes full, around off, Manav Suthar pushes this to point and wanted a single but Sundar sent him back. The throw comes in towards the keeper's end but it misses the stumps and the keeper cannot get up to the stumps in time to gather the throw. It rolls behind square leg for an overthrow.

Hard length, around off, Sundar cuts this through point for a single more.

Azmatullah errs in line and bowls it down the leg side, on a good length. Manav Suthar tucks this to fine leg for one. The 50-run stand comes up.

Good length, wide of off, Washington Sundar covers his off stump and leaves it.

Saleem goes full, angling it down the leg side. Washington Sundar tucks this to mid-wicket.

In the channel, on a good length, Washington Sundar pokes at it. The ball keeps low and it takes the bottom edge of Sundar's bat and bounces towards Rahmanullah Gurbaz at second slip.

On a length, around off, Washington Sundar blocks in front of the stumps.

Good length, going across the batter. Manav Suthar guides this to deep third. They cross.

Saleem bowls a fuller delivery around off, Sundar drives this to the right of covers for one.

Mohammad Saleem (20-2-109-4) is back.

A maiden for Azmatullah Omarzai, his 5th of the contest. Hard length, on middle and off, Manav Suthar blocks this to point.

Good length, around the pads, Manav tucks this to mid-wicket for a dot.

Bouncer down the leg side. Manav Suthar steps inside the line and leaves it.

Full and around off, going across the batter. Manav Suthar leaves it.

Short one, going across the batter. Manav Suthar keeps his guard down.

Good length, around off, Manav pushes this towards covers.

Full and on middle and leg, Manav slogs this from the bottom of his bat towards long on for one.

Quicker one, around off, Manav Suthar blocks this off his front foot.

Tossed up, around off, Manav Suthar drives this through covers for a brace.

SIX! Suthar is finding his footing as this is his second biggie of the game. Fuller on middle and off, Manav Suthar jumps down and away and lofts this up and over the deep extra cover fence for a biggie. This also brings up 500 on the board for India.

Quicker one, around off, Sundar plays this off his back foot and cuts this through the point region. Mohammad Saleem gives it a chase from covers and trips over, but does well to dive and flick the ball back inside the playing area, saving a run for his side.

Tossed up, around middle and leg, Sundar pushes this to the bowler's left.

Back of a length, around off, Washington Sundar cuts this to deep point for a single.

On a length, drifting down the leg. Manav Suthar clips this through square leg for one run.

In the channel, on a good length, Manav Suthar leaves it all alone.

Good length, on middle and leg, Sundar tucks this in front of mid on for a single.

Hard length, wide of off, Washington Sundar opens his bat face and guides this through the point region for two runs.

FOUR! Azmatullah Omarzai comes around the stumps, bowls it on a back of a length, around off, Washington Sundar gets up on his toes and punches this past the cover fielder to his left for a boundary.

Spin from the other end as well? Nope, it will be pace in the form of Azmatullah Omarzai.

Pushed through on off, Manav defends this off his front foot.

SIX! Smashed down the ground for a biggie. Fuller around middle and off, Manav Suthar shimmies close to the pitch of the ball and smashes this right from the middle of his bat for a biggie towards the sight screen.

Tossed up, in the line of the stumps, Manav Suthar keeps it out off his front foot.

Quicker one, around off, Washington Sundar pushes this through mid on for one.

Tossed up, on middle and off, Washington Sundar defends this out.

Shahidi bowls a flighted delivery around off, Sundar pushes this to covers.

We are moments away from the start of the afternoon session. The Afghanistan players have taken their respective places on the field. Hashmatullah Shahidi will start wth his off-breaks. Washington Sundar to face the first ball. A slip and a silly point in place. Let's go...

... DAY 2, SESSION 2 ...

How much more will India add? With two left-handers at the crease, expect Nangeyalia Kharote to play a much bigger role in the second session as the tourists look to bowl India out. The left-arm spinner will have his eyes on the rough that has started to develop around the left-handers' off stump. We will be back at 12.10 pm IST (6.40 am GMT) for the start of the second session. See you then!

Saleem made the difference - Shubman Gill would have been out lbw, while Rishabh Pant had also nicked one behind, but Afghanistan opted against reviewing on both occasions. It was Mohammad Saleem who led the way with the lengths he bowled with the new ball. While Omarzai did create those two chances, he still erred a touch on the shorter side at times. Saleem managed to strike twice before Hashmatullah Shahidi managed to prise out Pant.

A session of mixed fortunes - Just three wickets fell on the entirety of Day 1, but Afghanistan matched that tally in the morning session alone. Even so, India added 107 runs in 25 overs to push their total close to 500. After letting their quicks loosen up, Afghanistan took the second new ball. Azmatullah Omarzai created a couple of opportunities, but for the second day running, the visitors were left to rue their use of the DRS.

Fuller on middle and off, Manav Suthar blocks this off his front foot back to the bowler. That will be LUNCH ON DAY 2.

Tossed up, around off, Manav Suthar defends this off his front foot.

Quicker one, around off, Sundar punches this down to long on for one.

Pushed through on middle and off, Washington Sundar tucks this to mid-wicket.

Tossed up, around the pads, Sundar steps across and dabs this to short fine leg.

Flighted, around off, Washington Sundar blocks this off his front foot.

Under-cutter, around off, Manav Suthar defends this out.

Fuller on off, Manav strides close to the pitch of the ball and blocks this off his front foot.

Shahidi gives it a lot more air, bowls it around off. Manav Suthar dead bats it.

Tossed up, around off, Manav defends this to silly point.

FOUR! Yet another time, Manav puts on the dancing shoes and gets one away to the fence for four. Quicker one, around middle and leg, Manav Suthar jumps close to the pitch of the ball and smashes this aerially past the left of mid on for four runs.

Fuller around off, Manav Suthar blocks this to silly point.

Tossed up, around off, Sundar pushes this down the track for a dot.

Full and on off, Sundar blocks this out.

FOUR! A streaky boundary for Sundar. Quicker through the air, flatter and around off. Washington Sundar rocks back to guide this through the point region, but the ball grips the surface, resulting in it catching the outer portion of the bat. It goes through the left of the first slip fielder for a boundary towards the third man region.

Abdul drags his length back a bit, bowls this full and around off, Washington Sundar blocks this out.

Fuller around off, Manav drives this towards the left of mid off and takes a run.

Short of a length, on off, Sundar pushes this through mid on for one.

It will be spin from both ends as Abdul Malik (6-0-37-0) has been called into the attack.