India vs Afghanistan, One-off Test: Day 1 at Bengaluru
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Image Source : APHundreds from Shikhar Dhawan and Murali Vijay gave Afghanistan the expectedly tough initiation into Test cricket but the debutants managed to find their bearings to leave India a tad uncomfortable at 347 for 6 on a rain-curtailed first day of the historic one-off Test at the M Chinnaswamy stadium in Bengaluru on Thursday.
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Image Source : Ap
Dhawan became the first Indian batsman to score a century in the first session of a Test match joining the illustrious ranks of Sir Don Bradman, Victor Trumper, Majid Khan, and David Warner.
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Image Source : AP
While Dhawan was more forceful in his strokeplay, Vijay was more silken in his drives. The shot of the day would certainly be a backfoot square drive off Wafadar. Vijay's innings had 15 boundaries and a six. He completed his 12th hundred with a lofted shot over point off Wafadar.
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Image Source : AP
Rashid, the reigning crown prince of 24-ball spells, received a harsh treatment from Dhawan, who smacked him for three boundaries to complete a half-century in 47 balls.
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Image Source : AP
Once the openers were gone, Rashid found his mojo and got to land his googlies consistently on good length troubling the middle order batsmen.
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Image Source : AP
Vijay and a well-set KL Rahul (54 off 64 balls) were removed in quick succession by the impressive pace duo of Yamin Ahmadzai (2/32 in 13 overs) and Wafadar (1/53 in 15 overs). The Vijay-Rahul second wicket partnership yielded 112 runs but their dismissals brought about a collapse.
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Image Source : AP
The world no.1 hosts did take their foot off the pedal in the final session losing five wickets for 99 runs in 32 overs. The result was that the day end scorecard didn't paint a sorry picture for Afghanistan something that was threatening to happen after the first two sessions.