The first day of the historic test match between India and Afghanistan at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore saw the hosts India post 347 for 6. Centuries from Murali Vijay, Shikhar Dhawan and KL Rahul half century made sure that the number 1 ranked test team in the World ended on a strong note despite a great comeback by Afghanistan bowlers during the final session.
Indian captain Ajinkya Rahane won the toss and elected to bat first. Shikhar Dhawan looked in attacking mood smashing Afghanistan fast bowlers while his opening partner Murali Vijay struggled. The Afghanistan bowlers did not take a review for caught behind off Shikhar Dhawan as it hit the bat. In the first hour of play, both openers scored 62. Soon after the drinks break, Shikhar Dhawan reached his half-century off 47 balls.
Shikhar Dhawan smashed Afghanistan star bowlers Rashid Khan and Mujeeb Ur Rahman with attacking strokes. The stylish left-handed batsman became the first Indian and sixth overall to score a century on the first day before lunch. Dhawan reached his century off 87 balls. Indian team went into lunch at a dominating position with 158 for 0.
After the lunch interval, Yamin Ahmadzai entered into the history books by taking the first test wicket dismissing Shikhar Dhawan for 107. Dhawan and Vijay added 168 runs for opening in just 28.4 overs. Murali Vijay reached his half-century off 80 balls. KL Rahul came at number 3 and took on Afghanistan bowlers. Vijay and KL Rahul created a lot of pressure on Afghanistan bowlers adding 80 unbeaten runs for the 2nd wicket before the rain arrived. Rashid Khan was smashed for 89 runs in 14 overs, Mujeeb Ur Rahman went for 46 in 7 overs and Nabi 45 in 8 overs.
Afghanistan fast bowlers Wafadar and Ahmadzai were the picks of bowlers. Because of rain, the umpires took early tea and India ended the 2nd session at 248 for 1.
The third session of play did not start well as rain arrived at the score of 264 for 1. After the rain break, Murali Vijay completed his 12th test century off 143 balls. KL Rahul also scored his half-century off 61 balls. Wafadar dismissed Murali Vijay for 105. Both Vijay and KL Rahul added 112 runs for the 2nd wicket.
Yamin Ahmadzai then dismissed KL Rahul for 52 to put pressure on Indian batting line up. The Afghanistan bowlers did not give easy runs. Rahane and Pujara added 34 runs for the 4th wicket before Rashid Khan got his first test wicket by dismissing Rahane for 10 with a review for LBW.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman also got his first wicket by dismissing Pujara for 35. Dinesh Karthik who was making a comeback in the Indian test squad was run out for 4. It was a great display of bowling by Afghanistan bowlers during final session picking up 5 wickets and did not give many runs.
Rashid Khan and Mujeeb Ur Rahman troubled the Indian batsmen with their variations after going for runs in the first 2 sessions. Rashid Khan and Mujeeb Ur Rahman picked 1 wicket each. The Indian team ended the first day on 347 for 6 with Hardik Pandya and R Ashwin at the crease.
India 347 for 6 in 78 overs ( Dhawan 107, Murali Vijay 105, KL Rahul 54, Pujara 35, Ahmadzai 2/32, Wafadar 1/53,
