Gill, Rahul tons power India to 368-3 in Afghanistan Test

INDIA, JUNE 6: Centuries by skipper Shubman Gill and KL Rahul led India to a commanding 368-3 on the first day of the one-off cricket Test against Afghanistan on Saturday.

Rahul made 100 off 165 balls and put on a second wicket partnership of 139 with Sai Sudharsan, who scored 81, after India elected to bat first in New Chandigarh.

Sudharsan and Rahul departed before Gill finished the day on 103 in an unbeaten stand of 121 with wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant, who was on 50 not out.

Gill reached his 11th Test ton with a single off Mohammad Saleem and raised his bat to acknowledge the applause of a sparse crowd at India's newest Test venue.

Rahul, who top-scored for his IPL team Delhi Capitals in the recent T20 tournament with 593 runs in 14 matches, registered his 12th Test hundred.

But the right-hander was out the next ball when he attempted an expansive drive off pace bowler Ziaur Rahman only to be caught at short extra cover.

"I'm really happy that I could get some time in the middle and make that switch from T20 to Test cricket," said Rahul. "That was the most pleasing thing."

Gill kept up the pace after Rahul's dismissal, hitting Saleem for two straight boundaries and ended the day with 11 fours and a six.

The left-handed Pant also took on the bowling attack when he hit three sixes in one over by spinner Abdul Malik before bringing up his 19th Test half-century.

Rahul earlier hit 11 fours in a composed knock as he and left-hander Sudharsan frustrated the Afghan opposition bowling on a hot and sunny day.

Saleem had Sudharsan caught behind for 81 after the number three registered his third Test half-century with a four.

Sudharsan was dropped on 20 and 59 but made the most of the reprieves, hitting 13 fours in 104 balls.

"We always rue missed chances. But the guys stuck at it really well," said Afghanistan head coach Richard Pybus. "Credit to India, they did what they needed to do."    �"AFP