IND vs AFG Test: India make Afghanistan sweat profusely as follow-on threat looms large

Day two of the ongoing one‑off Test between India and Afghanistan once again belonged to the hosts, who added 196 runs to their overnight score before declaring at 564/8.

India began the day with Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant in command. Both played some delightful strokes before Mohammad Saleem struck, nicking off Gill for 126 to end a 169‑run stand with Pant. Gill’s dismissal was the first of four wickets for Saleem, who finished with figures of 6/140.

Saleem then bowled Dhruv Jurel with a delivery that jagged back in, before Pant fell agonisingly short of a century. Attempting to loft Hashmatullah Shahidi despite long‑on and long‑off in place, Pant mistimed his stroke and holed out, as his bat twisted in his hands.

Washington Sundar (52* off 68) counter‑attacked and found support from debutant Manav Suthar. The pair added 54 for the seventh wicket, taking India past 500. Suthar looked composed for his 28 before Saleem claimed him to complete his five‑for.

Mohammed Siraj entertained briefly with a 12‑ball 22, laced with four boundaries and a six before also falling to Saleem, who wrapped up his sixth wicket.

Afghanistan’s reply falters

In response, Afghanistan’s batting showed flashes of resistance but lacked the composure to last long on a testing surface. Only Rahmat Shah looked settled as he remained unbeaten on 43.

Debutant Suthar impressed with the ball, landing consistently in the right areas and applying pressure with close‑in fielders. He dismissed Abdul Malik and Rahmanullah Gurbaz before completing a caught‑and‑bowled to remove Afsar Zazai.

Talk about a dream start on debut 🤩

🎥 Manav Suthar getting his maiden Test wicket in his very first over 🙌

Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/Au50EfVM30#TeamIndia | #INDvAFG | @IDFCFIRSTBank pic.twitter.com/MEx9QHwkD0

— BCCI (@BCCI) June 7, 2026

Prasidh Krishna also found rhythm, producing a beauty to rattle Sediqullah Atal's furniture and trapping Shahidi in front of his stumps.

Afghanistan closed day two at 113/5, still trailing by 451 runs, with India firmly in control.