- Manav Suthar takes six wickets on Test debut
- India register biggest ever Test victory margin
- Washington Sundar and Kuldeep Yadav finish off Afghanistan
India completed the most dominant victory in their Test history on Monday, crushing Afghanistan by an innings and 300 runs in New Chandigarh as debutant spinner Manav Suthar announced himself on the international stage with a remarkable six wicket haul.
India 564 for 8 dec (Gill 126, Rahul 100, Saleem 6-140) beat Afghanistan 152 (Rahmat 60, Suthar 6-33, Prasidh 3-37) and 112 (Atal 42, Sundar 4-36, Kuldeep 3-30) by an innings and 300 runs.
The left arm spinner delivered a performance to remember in his first Test appearance, finishing with figures of 6 for 33 as Afghanistan were dismissed for 152 in their first innings. With a lead of 412 runs, India enforced the follow on and never loosened their grip on the contest.
Afghanistan showed flashes of resistance in their second innings but India’s spin attack once again proved too strong. Washington Sundar claimed 4 for 36 while Kuldeep Yadav added 3 for 30 to wrap up the victory before the close of the third day.
The result capped a commanding display from India, who had earlier piled up 564 for 8 declared thanks to centuries from captain Shubman Gill (126) and KL Rahul (100). Afghanistan seamer Mohammad Saleem was the pick of the visitors’ bowlers with 6 for 140.
Suthar delivers a dream Test debut
Suthar’s dream debut became the defining story of the match. Resuming the third morning with three wickets already to his name, the young spinner extracted sharp turn and maintained relentless accuracy on a surface that offered little assistance to most bowlers.
His breakthrough against Sharafuddin Ashraf set the tone before he produced a key moment by removing the resilient Rahmat Shah. The Afghanistan batter had battled hard for 60 from 100 balls and looked capable of extending the innings further before falling to an ambitious sweep shot that allowed Suthar to claim his five wicket haul.
The sixth wicket soon followed, underlining a debut performance that will be remembered for years. His figures of 6 for 33 rank among the finest by an Indian bowler on Test debut and effectively placed the match beyond Afghanistan’s reach.
Fast bowler Prasidh Krishna also played an important supporting role. He struck early on the third morning, removing Azmatullah Omarzai with a delivery that jagged back sharply to disturb the stumps. Prasidh finished with 3 for 37 and consistently asked questions of the Afghanistan batting line up.
Afghanistan fight but India stay in control
Afghanistan attempted a more aggressive response after being asked to bat again. Sediqullah Atal led the counterattack, using his feet confidently against the spinners and scoring a spirited 42. For brief periods he disrupted India’s rhythm and offered his side a glimmer of hope.
India’s experienced spin duo soon restored control.
Washington adapted cleverly to the conditions, relying on drift and subtle variation rather than extravagant turn. His disciplined lines drew mistakes from several Afghanistan batters as wickets fell at regular intervals.
Kuldeep, despite finding little assistance from the pitch, remained patient and continued to tempt batters into ambitious strokes. His persistence was rewarded with figures of 3 for 30 as India tightened their grip on the match.
Rahmat once again showed determination, but Afghanistan struggled to build meaningful partnerships. Captain Hashmatullah Shahidi departed after edging to first slip, while several batters fell attempting attacking shots as the pressure mounted.
India seal a record Test win
The final session brought a swift conclusion. Afghanistan’s lower order swung freely in search of quick runs but India maintained their composure. Suthar added another wicket to his memorable match tally before the remaining resistance was swept aside.
When Mohammad Saleem edged to B Sai Sudharsan in the covers, India’s players celebrated a landmark achievement. The innings and 300 run victory surpassed every previous winning margin in the nation’s Test history and provided a fitting end to a one sided contest.
The final scorecard reflected India’s dominance: India 564 for 8 declared, Afghanistan 152 and 112.
For India, the match will be remembered not only for a record Test win but also for the arrival of a promising new spin talent. Suthar’s outstanding debut offered a glimpse of an exciting future and ensured his first Test appearance became an unforgettable chapter in Indian cricket.
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