How did the Only Test go between India vs Afghanistan? — Review, Turning Points & more
India registered a crushing innings-and-300-run victory over Afghanistan in the one-off Test at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur, New Chandigarh, on June 8.
After winning the toss and electing to bat first, India piled up a massive total, led by centuries from KL Rahul and Shubman Gill. Sai Sudharsan, Rishabh Pant, and Washington Sundar also made valuable contributions with half-centuries. For Afghanistan, Mohammad Saleem Safi was the standout bowler, claiming 6 for 140.
In response, Afghanistan were bowled out for 152 in their first innings, with Rahmat Shah top-scoring with 60 runs. India’s bowling attack was spearheaded by Manav Suthar, who returned figures of 6 for 33, while Prasidh Krishna picked up 3 for 37.
Asked to follow on, Afghanistan struggled once again and were dismissed for 112 in their second innings. Sediqullah Atal was the lone bright spot with 42 runs. Washington Sundar starred with the ball, taking 4 for 36, while Kuldeep Yadav chipped in with 3 for 30 as India completed a dominant victory.
Top batting performance of the match — Shubman Gill
Homeboy making his mark! A captain’s knock! 💪
6th Test ton for #ShubmanGill as skipper, 11th overall. 🎯#INDvAFG | Only Test ➡️ DAY 1 | LIVE NOW 👉https://t.co/hURsU016bX pic.twitter.com/g0BMPs7AX1
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) June 6, 2026
Indian captain Shubman Gill was the standout batting performer of the match. He played a superb innings of 126 runs off 177 balls, striking 15 fours and a six. Gill dominated the Afghanistan bowling attack throughout his stay at the crease, punishing anything short or overpitched and capitalising on loose deliveries with ease. Gill also played a key role in building the innings through two crucial partnerships, first with KL Rahul and later with Rishabh Pant.
Top bowling performance of the match — Manav Suthar
Accurate, disciplined, and absolutely lethal! 🙌#ManavSuthar continues his dream Test debut by picking up his second wicket of the innings. #TeamIndia is firmly in control! 💪#INDvAFG | Only Test ➡️ DAY 2 | LIVE NOW 👉https://t.co/6GHfw2TEnv pic.twitter.com/OhqRuTqSkk
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) June 7, 2026
MANAV SUTHAR HAS FOUR ON DEBUT! 🤯🔥
A sharp review from Team India confirms the edge as #ManavSuthar picks up his fourth wicket on Test debut, bringing an end to Ashraf’s gritty resistance 👏🇮🇳#INDvAFG | Only Test ➡️ DAY 3 | LIVE NOW 👉 https://t.co/jzjg5vVQq5 pic.twitter.com/5Bk1M0cs11
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) June 8, 2026
Left-arm spinner Manav Suthar produced the standout bowling performance of the match, finishing with impressive match figures of 7 for 62. He played a pivotal role in India’s dominant victory, consistently troubling the Afghanistan batters with his accuracy and turn.
Suthar was at his best in Afghanistan’s first innings, where he claimed 6 for 33. His victims included Abdul Malik, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Rahmat Shah, Afsar Zazai, Sharafuddin Ashraf, and Mohammad Saleem Safi, dismantling the middle and lower order with a superb spell of spin bowling. He added another wicket in the second innings by dismissing Afsar Zazai once again, taking his match tally to seven wickets.
Records Broken and Major Milestones Achieved
- India’s innings-and-300-run victory over Afghanistan is their biggest-ever innings victory in Test cricket, surpassing their previous record margin.
- Afghanistan’s total of 112 in the second innings is the third-lowest total in their Test history.
- Manav Suthar registered figures of 6 for 33 in Afghanistan’s first innings, the second-best bowling figures by an Indian in a debut Test innings.
- Suthar became only the second Indian this century to claim a five-wicket haul in his maiden Test innings, underlining the impact of his debut performance.
- He also became the 10th Indian overall and the seventh Indian spinner to take a five-wicket haul on Test debut.
Who won the player of the Match?
Manav Suthar was named Player of the Match for his exceptional bowling performance on Test debut. The left-arm spinner played a decisive role in India’s comprehensive victory, finishing with match figures of 7 for 62. Suthar delivered a match-winning spell in Afghanistan’s first innings, claiming 6 for 33 in 22 overs, dismantling the batting lineup with his accuracy and turn. He followed it up with another disciplined effort in the second innings, taking 1 for 29 in 10 overs.
