The Indian Cricket team outplayed Afghanistan with a convincing win on the 2nd day of one-off historic test match played at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore. After being bowled out for 474, Indian bowlers dismissed Afghanistan twice and did the job in less than two days.
Starting the 2nd day on 347 for 6, Afghanistan pacer Ahmadzai dismissed Ravichandran Ashwin for 18. Pandya and Ashwin added 35 runs for the 7th wicket. Hardik Pandya played an important knock reaching his half-century off 83 balls and with Ravindra Jadeja added 67 runs for the 8th wicket. Mohammad Nabi got his first test wicket dismissing Ravindra Jadeja for 20. Soon after, Wafadar dismissed Hardik Pandya for 71.
Umesh Yadav played a cameo knock scoring 26 off 21 balls with attacking strokes. Ishant Sharma was the last batsman to be dismissed for 8. India posted a massive total of 474.
In the second session, the Afghanistan batsmen could not handle the pressure of good quality bowling. Mohammad Shahzad was run out for 14 by a brilliant direct hit by Hardik Pandya. It was a great bowling display by Umesh Yadav who completed 100 test wickets and Ishant Sharma also bowled picked two wickets of Javed Ahmadi and Zazai.
Ravichandran Ashwin came into the attack and picked the wicket of Afghanistan captain Asghar Stanikzai. Mohammad Nabi scored 24 runs looking the most solid batsman. Mujeeb Ur Rahman also scored quick fire 15 off 9 balls. Afghanistan was bowled out for 109. For India, R Ashwin finished with 4 for 27 and also became the 4th highest wicket-taker for India in test matches going past Zaheer Khan. Ravindra Jadeja took 2 wickets, Umesh Yadav 1 and Ishant Sharma 2 wickets.
The Indian team decided to follow on. In the third session also, Umesh Yadav and Ishant Sharma broke the backbone of Afghanistan batting line up by picking 4 wickets for 24 runs. Shahidi and Captain Asghar Stanikzai showed good application adding 37 runs for the 5th wicket. Ravindra Jadeja dismissed Afghanistan Stanikzai for 25.
Shaidi was the top scorer for Afghanistan who remained not out on 36. In the second innings, Ravindra Jadeja finished with 4 wickets, Umesh Yadav took 3, Ishant Sharma 2 and Ravichandran Ashwin 1. Afghanistan was bowled out for 103 in their second innings. India won the match by an innings and 262 runs.
India 474 in 104. 5 overs ( Dhawan 107, Murali Vijay 105, Hardik Pandya 71, KL Rahul 54, Pujara 35, Ahmadzai 3/51 , Wafadar 2/100, Rashid Khan 2/154) beat
Afghanistan 109 in 27.5 overs ( Mohammad Nabi 24, Mujeeb Ur Rahman 15, R Ashwin 4/27, Ishant Sharma 2/28, R Jadeja 2/18) and 103 in 38.4 overs ( Hashmatullah Shahidi 36*, Asghar Stanikzai 25, Ravindra Jadeja 4/17, Umesh Yadav 3/26, Ishant Sharma 2/17) by an innings and 262 runs.
Afghanistan captain Stanikzai said: We need to play test matches against full member nations in the future. Disappointed with our batting. In the coming days, we have to camps and to work on our weakness.
Indian captain, Rahane said: Feels very special to lead the country. Shikhar Dhawan, Murali Vijay, KL Rahul and Hardik Pandya batted brilliantly. Afghanistan pace bowlers did a great job in the third session and troubled us. They have will go a long way.
Man of the match Shikhar Dhawan said: it feels good with the way I am playing at the moment. Before going to Ireland, we will be fresh and its great to finish the match early. At the start, the ball was swinging but was clear in my mind that. I am happy to score a century in one session and gain confidence ahead of big tours. Credit to Afghanistan to come this level and hope they play in test matches.