MUMBAI: India's debutant left-arm spinner Manav Suthar claimed a match haul of seven wickets as India secured a historic victory over Afghanistan by an innings and 300 runs on Monday, marking their biggest win in Test cricket. The one-off Test in New Chandigarh ended inside three days as Afghanistan were bowled out for 112 in their second innings after being forced to follow on.
Spinners Dominate on Day Three
Spinners Washington Sundar and Kuldeep Yadav shared seven wickets between them to bundle out Afghanistan for 112 in 35.5 overs. Sundar reduced Afghanistan to 98-5 at tea, and the batting lineup collapsed in the final session. Kuldeep took two wickets in two balls to wrap up the innings after injured Sharafuddin Ashraf did not bat.
Suthar, who took 6-33 in the first innings to dismiss Afghanistan for 152 in response to India's 564-8 declared, added another wicket in the second innings. He trapped Afsar Zazai lbw for eight, finishing with seven wickets in the match.
Gill Praises Complete Performance
India captain Shubman Gill said, "A complete win from our side, ticked all the boxes, so very happy. It was very hot. We decided that if we bowl them out by lunch or around the first drinks break in the second innings we will ask them to bat again. For the spinners it was more about getting the experience of how to set up the batters."
Afghanistan's openers started steadily before fast bowler Mohammed Siraj trapped Abdul Malik in front for eight. Kuldeep broke through Rahmanullah Gurbaz's resistance on 24, and Sundar dismissed Rahmat Shah for 13. Sundar struck again to remove captain Hashmatullah Shahidi for five.
In the first innings, Rahmat Shah scored 60, offering some resistance. Fast bowler Prasidh Krishna claimed Azmatullah Omarzai for a duck. Rahmat reached his sixth Test half-century before Suthar broke the stand with Ashraf, trapping him lbw. Suthar then bowled Rahmat and trapped Mohammad Saleem lbw for a duck three balls later.
Kuldeep dismissed debutant Nangeyalia Kharote and Mohammad Saleem for a duck as 14 wickets fell on the day. The win is India's largest in Test cricket by innings margin.
