Murli Vijay scored his 12th Test century in Bangalore on Thursday in Day 1 of the standalone Test between India and Afghanistan. Vijay reached the mark in 143 balls This is Vijay’s third consecutive ton in the longest format of the game paying in India, making him the only opener apart from former England captain Alastair Cook to do so.
Vijay’s opening partner Shikhar Dhawan himself managed to score a century before Lunch, becoming the first Indian to do so on Day 1 of a Test match. India won the toss and chose to bat, Dhawan and Vijay put up an opening partnership of 168 runs as India dominated the first session. Dhawan was eventually dismissed by Yamin Ahmadzai, who thus became the first player from Afghanistan to take a wicket in Test cricket.
But the run feast continued with Vijay and KL Rahul going on to put up a 112-run stand for the second wicket. Vijay’s dismissal was quickly followed by that of Rahul’s wicket and then it was captain Ajinkya Rahane playing in the middle with Cheteshwar Pujara.
Afghanistan tightened the noose around India in the final session with regular interruptions caused by rain hindering India’s momentum. Murali Vijay went on to complete his century but was soon dismissed Wafadar for 105. Rashid Khan took his first Test wicket when he dismissed skipper Ajinkya Rahane. KL Rahul too completed his fifty before he got out on 54. Mujeeb Ur-Rahman took another wicket as India lost half their side before the stumps. An unlucky run out to Dinesh Karthik cost India another wicket as they closed the day with 347/6 at Stumps on Day 1.
India 347-6. Hardik Pandya 10 runs from 21 balls and Ashwin 7 runs from 16 balls. India dominated the Afghanistan bowlers in the first two sessions, but the third session belonged to the visitors.
This was just first day, a lot of action remains for rest of the days.
Stay Tuned.
“Ankit Vaishnav”
