India’s former captain Sunil Gavaskar commended Afghanistan’s resilience during the one-off Test match as they staged a strong comeback with the second new ball on day two. Despite India declaring their first innings at 564/8, Afghanistan’s bowlers made significant inroads. Gavaskar highlighted Afghanistan’s determination and strategic use of the second new ball, acknowledging their spirited performance.
The visitors, starting the day at 368/3, witnessed India’s strong batting display with Shubman Gill’s century extending to 126 and Rishabh Pant contributing 81 runs. However, Afghanistan’s pacers fought back effectively in the morning session, limiting India to 475/6 by lunch. Gavaskar praised Afghanistan’s effort and their ability to capitalize on the new ball to disrupt India’s momentum.
Gavaskar also noted Afghanistan’s missed opportunities with the Decision Review System, suggesting that better utilization could have yielded more wickets. He highlighted the impact of unreviewed chances on Gill and Pant’s innings, emphasizing the significance of strategic reviews in crucial moments. Despite India’s commanding total, Gavaskar applauded Afghanistan’s resilient approach and competitive spirit throughout the match.
India’s strong performance, anchored by centuries from Gill and KL Rahul, along with Pant’s aggressive batting, showcased their dominance. Despite the eventual declaration at 564/8, Gavaskar acknowledged Afghanistan’s commendable effort and competitive spirit in the face of a formidable Indian side.
