India recorded their largest ever Test victory, demolishing Afghanistan by an innings and 300 runs to win the one-off Test at New Chandigarh. The hosts controlled most of the game, with debutant Manav Suthar receiving top billing along with Washington Sundar and Kuldeep Yadav.
Suthar was on song again from the start of Day 3, whereupon Afghanistan were already staring down the barrel, and he managed to take remarkable innings figures of 6 for 33 as a result. Amir excelled by claiming 9 to dismiss Afghanistan for 152 after India declared on 564 for 8 at home. His six-wicket haul also made it the third-best bowling performance by an Indian on Test debut.
Rahmat Shah scored a fighting 60 to give some resistance for Afghanistan with the bat. But he found little support from the batting unit as Suthar’s accuracy and sharp turn were too much to handle. Karthik also picked up three for Mounts, while India’s bowlers wouldn’t let loose.
India then enforced the follow-on with an enormous first-innings lead of 412 runs. In their second innings, Afghanistan attacked a little more eagerly and looked to try and apply the pressure on the Indian spinners as opener Sediqullah Atal struck a quick fifty for them. Santner went on the offensive against Suthar, striking him for a six and four before tea.
India’s bowling remained well in control despite Afghanistan started positively. In the second innings, Washington Sundar was the primary destroyer as he took 4 for 36 with disciplined off-spin and brilliant variations. Kuldeep Yadav was extremely supportive, taking 3 for 30 and trapping such mistakes in the batters.
With regular wickets falling, Afghanistan’s chances flickered briefly. Gurbaz, Hashmatullah Shahidi and Rahmat Shah all dismissed attempting the big shot to increase the scoring rate. The visitors’ fight dwindled when Atal was dismissed a few balls before tea.
Richie Berrington broke the batting slide briefly before lunch and Afghanistan’s lower order attacked but could only stick around for so long. Suthar chipped in with one more, and it was left to Washington and Kuldeep to mop up the tail. That dismissal of Mohammad Saleem ultimately wrapped up a total innings victory for India.
The game underscored India’s spin-bowling depth, with Suthar announcing his presence at the international level in urgent fashion. On a day featuring centuries from captain Shubman Gill and KL Rahul earlier in the match, India’s all-round performance delivered its historic and record-destroying victory over Afghanistan.