India vs Afghanistan, Day 1: Play resumes after rain break, Vijay nears ton

Yamin Ahmadzai becomes the first bowler to take first test wicket for AfghanistanSports News: Rain stopped play on the opening day of the one-off Test between India and Afghanistan at the M Chinnaswamy stadium in Bengaluru today. Murali Vijay (94) and KL Rahul (33) were at the crease with India at 248 for one in 45.1 overs when heavens opened up. In the second session, Yamin Ahmadzai took the wicket of Shikhar Dhawan just after lunch to become the first bowler who took the test wicket for Afghanistan. After, Dhawan's wicket K L Rahul came to the crease and played some classic shots. The scheduled close of play is 5.29pm, and is extendable until 5.59 pm, if light permits.

India opener Shikhar Dhawan on Thursday became the first Indian in the history of cricket to hit a century before lunch on the first day of the historic India vs Afghanistan one-off test match. Earlier this morning, India won the toss and elected to bat first on the green-looking pitch of Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Thursday.

In the first session, the Afghanistan bowlers seemed rather lacklustre, with little experience, and Shikhar Dhawan smashed them all around the ground. Also hammered by Dhawan was Afghanistan premier turner Rashid Khan, who leaked runs at an economy rate of 6.16 runs per over. Just before lunch would be announced, Dhawan completed his 7th century in the 26th over of the innings. Before him, Virendra Sehwag had come very close to achieving the glory of become the first Indian to hit a century before lunch, but he had missed the milestone by 1 run against West Indies in 2006.

Seasoned opener Shikhar Dhawan smashed a quickfire century to help India pile 158/0 at lunch in the lop-sided opening session on day 1 of the one-off Test against debutants Afghanistan at Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. At the break, Murali Vijay (41 not out) and Dhawan (104 not out) went back intact, leaving Afghanistan to rethink over their strategies in their first ever Test match. Dhawan looked in sublime touch right from the start, punishing the pace duo of Yamin Ahmadzai and Wafadar for glorious boundaries before sending his Sunrisers Hyderabad teammate Rashid Khan to the cleaners. In the first over Rashid khan conceded 13 runs. The Delhi southpaw has now become the only Indian to score a century in the opening session of a Test match.

For Afghanistan, Afsar Zazai will keep the wicket while two frontline spinners — Rashid Khan and Mujeeb Ur Rahman — are also part of the Playing XI. Afghanistan, who have fast established itself as a force to reckon with in the shorter formats, will become the 12th side to feature in men's Test cricket after Ireland debuted against Pakistan last month.

Read More

Business Standard Latest News Current Affairs