India produced a dominant all-round performance in Mullanpur, crushing Afghanistan by an innings and 300 runs to record the biggest innings victory in their Test cricket history. The hosts wrapped up the contest inside three days, with their spin attack playing a decisive role throughout the match.
Making his Test debut, Manav Suthar delivered a memorable performance with the ball, claiming six wickets in Afghanistan’s first innings. The second innings saw Washington Sundar and Kuldeep Yadav take charge as India completed a comprehensive victory.
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Suthar Shines on Dream Test Debut
Afghanistan resumed Day 3 on 113 for 5, still trailing by a massive margin after India’s imposing first-innings total. Any hopes of extending their resistance quickly faded as India’s bowlers maintained relentless pressure.
Rahmat Shah fought hard and reached a well-crafted half-century, eventually scoring 60 runs. However, wickets continued to fall around him. Manav Suthar and Prasidh Krishna struck early in the morning session, putting Afghanistan firmly on the back foot.
Once Rahmat became Suthar’s fifth victim, the lower order offered little resistance. Afghanistan were eventually dismissed for 152, giving India a huge first-innings advantage.
Suthar finished with outstanding figures of 6 for 33, marking a dream start to his Test career.
Afghanistan Show Brief Fight in Follow-On
With a substantial lead in hand, India enforced the follow-on and asked Afghanistan to bat again.
The visitors responded positively in the opening stages of their second innings. Openers Abdul Malik and Sediqullah Atal put together a steady partnership worth 42 runs, providing some early stability.
Malik played patiently, scoring 8 from 40 deliveries before departing. Atal continued to anchor the innings and then shared another useful stand with Ramanullah Gurbaz.
Gurbaz adopted an aggressive approach, striking 24 runs from as many deliveries and entertaining with three boundaries and a six. Their partnership briefly gave Afghanistan some momentum before India’s spinners once again took control.
Spin Duo Ends Afghanistan’s Resistance
The turning point arrived when Kuldeep Yadav broke the partnership and exposed Afghanistan’s middle order.
After Atal’s dismissal for 42, the innings quickly unravelled. Apart from Rahmat Shah, no other batter managed to make a significant contribution.
Washington Sundar was particularly effective, dismantling the middle order with figures of 4 for 36. Kuldeep complemented him brilliantly by taking 3 for 30, ensuring Afghanistan never recovered.
The visitors were bowled out for just 112 in their second innings, sealing a crushing win for the hosts.
India’s Batting Foundation Set Up Victory
India’s bowlers finished the job, but the victory was built on an outstanding batting performance earlier in the match.
The hosts declared their first innings at 564 for 8, putting Afghanistan under immense pressure from the outset.
Captain Shubman Gill led from the front with a superb 126, while KL Rahul added a century of his own with a composed 100. Their efforts helped India establish complete control of the Test before the bowlers took over.
Although Mohammad Saleem Safi impressed for Afghanistan with six wickets, India’s batting depth proved too strong.
Record-Breaking Win for India
The victory highlighted India’s strength across all departments and showcased the depth of their spin resources. Manav Suthar’s sensational debut performance, combined with the experience of Washington Sundar and Kuldeep Yadav, proved too much for Afghanistan to handle.
Winning by an innings and 300 runs not only secured a memorable triumph but also set a new benchmark as India’s largest innings victory in Test cricket.
Brief Scores
India: 564/8 declared
(Shubman Gill 126, KL Rahul 100)
Afghanistan: 152 all out
(Rahmat Shah 60; Manav Suthar 6/33)
Afghanistan: 112 all out (follow-on)
(Sediqullah Atal 42; Washington Sundar 4/36, Kuldeep Yadav 3/30)
Result: India won by an innings and 300 runs.
