46.4 : India : 258/1
46.4: R Khan to L Rahul, FOUR! This has been Rashid's story today. He has bowled at least one bad ball in every over. This is short and wide outside off, Rahul has all the time in the world to go back and cut it through point.
Afghanistan will embark on a new journey in their cricket history when they make their Test debut against a Virat Kohli-less No.1-ranked India in the historic one-off Test at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Thursday. Afghanistan, who are rising through the ranks of world cricket, have named a spin-heavy squad for their debut Test to give India a taste of their own medicine. The squad comprises five spinners in Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Zahir Khan and left-arm spinner Hamza Kotak, who incidentally emerged as the leading wicket-taker in the recently concluded first-class competition. India have a little advantage in the upcoming Test as their batsmen have already faced a couple of Afghan spinners in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Afghan stars Rashid and Mujeeb enjoyed fruitful campaigns in the IPL, playing for Sunrisers Hyderabad and Kings XI Punjab respectively. But the home side have to be a little conscious that they don't slip on a potential banana skin as they come into the game without any match practice. India also have a couple of new players in their squad, which will make Rahane's task of fielding the right combination a bit difficult. Three key players -- regular skipper Kohli along with pacers Jasprit Bumrah and Bhuvneshwar Kumar have been rested as they prepare for the challenging tour to England next month. New inclusions like wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Karthik, Shardul Thakur, Navdeep Saini and Karun Nair will aim to make the most of this chance and would like to cement their place in the playing XI. The batting department seems settled with the likes of Rahane, Shikhar Dhawan, Murali Vijay, Cheteshwar Pujara, Lokesh Rahul, Karun Nair and Dinesh Karthik. In the bowling department, India have the star spinning trio of Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav along with pacers Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav and Shardul Thakur. (LIVE SCORECARD)
Live updates between India vs Afghanistan, One-off Test, Day 1, straight from M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru
15:06 IST : Now that's Frustrating! Another rain stoppage. This time it's looking even heavier. Covers are yet again on the ground. Vijay runs back to the pavilion trying to avoid the drizzle. Vijay is batting on 99 alongside Rahul who is on 44. IND 264-1 after 48.4 overs.
14:55 IST : FOUR! Boundary from Rahul off Wafadar to finish off the 46th over, moves on to 37. IND 253-1.
14:50 IST : Vijay and Rahul are at the center. Wafadar to continue where he left off. Vijay is batting on 94, inching closer towards his 12th Test ton. Rahul is accompanying him on the score of 33. IND 248-1.
14:40 IST : Players are on the ground. Match about to resume in next 10 minutes. Scheduled closing time has been extended to 17:29 IST.
14:30 IST : Great News from the center! The covers are coming off after loss of 59 minutes of play. Match will resume at 14:50 IST.
India will resume their first innings at 248/1 after tea break as the covers will go off soon. #AFGvIND #INDvsAFG #HistoricTest pic.twitter.com/jM6Bcv3kYT — Afghan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) June 14, 2018
13:57 IST : Early tea has been taken. Pitch is still under the covers as rain has returned. Tea is between 13.55 and 14.15 IST.
Match delayed due to Rain
13:31 IST : Rain stops play! This is not a pleasant sight to watch. Covers are on the ground and players from both the teams are back in the pavilion. Rain has interrupted the play in the 49th over of the first inning. Hoping it to be a passing shower. IND 248-1 after 48.1 overs.
13:25 IST : FOUR! Viajy dealing in boundaries at the moment. Short ball outside off-stump from Nabi and Vijay rocks the ball towards the point for a boundary. Vijay too inching towards a ton, batting on 88 at the moment. IND 238-1 after 44 overs.
13:16 IST : Deft touch from Vijay! 102 km/hr ball wide outside off-stump from Mujeeb and Vijay plays the late-cut to perfection. FOUR! for Vijay. The opener has quietly reached onto 84 off 120 balls. IND 228-1 after 42 overs.
13:09 IST : Another FIFTY run partnership! It has been good outing for the home team so far. After a brilliant opening stand, Rahul and Vijay have stitched another 50-run partnership in 71 balls. IND 223-1 after 41 overs.
12:59 IST : Four and Four! KL Rahul collects two boundaries off Mujeeb's over. Brilliant timing on the first one as the ball pierces between extra-cover and mid-off. The second one being gentle square-drive that went through point and covers. Rahul quickly reaches onto 14. IND 209-1 after 38 overs.
12:55 IST : 200 up for India! Vijay punches the ball off Nabi towards extra-cover and completes the single taking India to 200 in 36.3 overs. India have scored runs at a brisk rate of 5.48 so far.
12:35 IST : Vijay collects three boundaries in Rashid's over. All the boundaries have come in the same mid-wicket direction. The teen spin-wizard has struggled in the match so far, dragging down the leg-side and providing juicy full-toses to Vijay. IND 186-1 after 32 overs.
12:20 IST : FIFTY for Vijay! That was Vijay's sixteenth half century in Test cricket. Tap towards fine leg off Rashid Khan and Vijay completes his fifty with a single. A patient knock from the right-hander. IND 174-1 after 30 overs.
FIFTY!#TeamIndia opener @mvj888 in good touch here at Bengaluru as he brings up his 16th Test 50.#INDvAFG pic.twitter.com/bGXFAUOTG5 — BCCI (@BCCI) June 14, 2018
12:19 IST : KL Rahul Comes in at number 3 slot. India's regular number 3 batsman Cheteshwar Pujara has moved down and will hopefully bat at number four position. After a sublime IPL outing, Rahul has been promoted at number 3 hsa come in after Dhawan's departure.
12:19 IST : OUT! : First wicket for Afghanistan and Yamin Ahmadzai in Test cricket. Dhawan flashes hard outside off-stump but manages only a thick outside edge. After a wobble at second slip Mohammed Nabi standing at first slip completes the catch. Dhawan perishes after scoring a terrific 107. IND 168-1 after 29 overs
12:14 IST : Eight runs have come off Rashid Khan's first over post lunch. Runs are leaking at a brisk pace for Afghanistan. Pure timing from Murli Vijay on the final ball of the over as he collects a boundary towards mid-on. IND 166-0 after 28 overs.
12:10 IST : Rashid Khan is all set to open the proceedings in the second session. IND 158-0 after 27 overs.
12:07 IST : We are BACK! Afghanistan team is back on the ground warming up for the second session of the day. Lunch would not have been easy to swallow for the visitors as India are in a commanding position after the first session on Day 1. The opening stands that were missing during the South Africa Test series are back with Dhawan and Vijay providing a prolific start. India will look on to pounce on the brilliant start while Afghanistan team will be eager to get their first breakthrough.
11:30 IST : That's Lunch : India are 158 without loss at lunch on Day 1. Shikhar Dhawan has played blockbuster of a knock, batting on 104 alongside Murli Vijay (41) who has played a brilliant supporting role at the other end. Apart from a close call off Wafadar's bowling at the start, Dhawan has looked phenomenal at the center. Dashing southpaw reached his seventh ton in mere 87 balls clobbering 19 boundaries and three sixes so far. It has been a perfect start for India in their season opener. As far as Afghanistan are concerned, skipper Asghar Stanikzai has to come up with different strategy as spin-heavy Afghan side are currently struggling to create an impact on the match. Both Dhawan and Vijay have played the Afghan spin-trio of Rashid, Mujeed and Nabi with ease. Five bowlers used by the skipper have failed to deliver till now.
He also becomes the first Indian to score a century before Lunch on Day 1 of Test cricket.#INDvAFG pic.twitter.com/6stA1rdafS — BCCI (@BCCI) June 14, 2018
11:26 IST : HUNDRED for DHAWAN! Tossed up ball from Rashid Khan and Dhawan creams the ball for a boundary bisecting mid-off and extra-cover. Dhawan has played like a rockstar reaching his seventh ton in just 87 balls. IND 153-0 after 25.5 overs.
11:22 IST : BANG! and its another FOUR from Dhawan. This time its Mujeeb who is facing the wrath from Dhawan. Terrific footwork from the southpaw as he yet again deposits the ball towards long-off boundary. Dhawan is on 96 now!
11:15 IST : 15 minutes to go for Lunch! Dhawan is batting on 82. Can he reach the three figure mark before lunch? Although there is no hurry but the way Dhawan has been striking the ball since morning, it seems to be a possible task. IND 124-0 after 22 overs.
11:07 IST : First review from Afghanistan and Dhawan survives! Huge appeal from Rashid Khan as the final ball of the over traps Dhawan in front of the stumps. Replay shows that the ball was going over the stumps. On-field umpire Chris Gaffaney decision stays. IND 109-0 after 20 overs.
11:05 IST : 100 up for India! What a way to cross 100-run. Dhawan is breathing fire at the moment. Dances down the track and deposits the ball off Rashid over long-off boundary for a six. IND 104-0 after 19.4 overs.
11:00 IST : Another Bowling Change! Wafadar has been finally taken off after a lengthy 8-over spell. Off-spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman has been brought on. All-spin attack now from from captain Asghar Stanikzai. World's two best spinners bowling in tandem now for Afghanistan.
10:48 IST : Excellent second over from Rashid Khan after a horrendous 13-run opening over. Two terrific googlies to Dhawan and a close call against Vijay on the final ball of the over. Just a single in the second over for Rashid Khan. IND 80-0 after 16 overs.
10:39 IST : Fifty for Dhawan! Juicy full toss from Rashid Khan and Dhawan punches the ball to collect a boundary. 51 off 48 balls from Dhawan. The southpaw is dealing in boundaries and has taken on the spinners, collecting three boundaries off Rashid's first over. IND 75-0 after 14 overs.
10:36 IST : Rashid Khan is here! Second bowling change for Afghanistan as teenage sensation Rashid Khan has been brought on by skipper Asghar Stanikzai.
10:32 IST : Drinks! India have started off on a positive note. Both Dhawan and Vijay have negotiated the new ball pretty well. Dhawan has attacked spinner Nabi in his three overs, collecting two boundaries in the over just before drinks. Wafadar has been the bowler to watch out for in the first 13 over and till now has bowled six overs troubling both Dhawan and Vijay on a couple of occasions. IND 62-0 after 13 overs.
10:25 IST : Fifty up on the board for India! Dhawan and Vijay collect 12 runs in the 11th over to take the team's total fifty. IND 54-0 after 11 overs.
10:21 IST : SIX! First six of the match. Dhawan dances down the track and clobbers Nabi for a maximum over his head. IND 48-0 after 10.1 overs.
10:15 IST : Nabi ends his first over giving away only a single. Both Dhawan and Vijay have been watchful. Single for Dhawan in the ninth over. IND 41-0 after 9 overs.
10:11 IST : First bowling change for Afghanistan. Spin it is. Asghar Stanikzai brings off-spinner Mohammad Nabi on the attack in the ninth over. IND 40-0 after 8 overs.
10:06 IST : 13 runs off the seventh over. Yamin has not been accurate with his line and length. Two boundaries on the leg and one on the off side for southpaw Dhawan. IND 36-0
10:02 IST : WIDE! First wide ball of the match. Yamin throws the ball too far outside the off-stump after getting hit by Dhawan for a boundary towards square leg on the previous ball. IND 28-0
09:57 IST : After the end of five overs India are 18 without loss. There hasn't been much of a movement off the seam in the first five overs. Both Yamin and Wafadar have bowled decently, occasionally drifting down the leg side. Indian openers have been watchful and have played the ball according to the merit. IND 18-0 after 5 overs
09:43 IST : Couple of boundaries to end the second over. Dhawan slams two boundaries off Wafadar towards cover region in the second over. IND 10-0 after 2 overs.
09:40 IST : Decent start from Afghanistan. Just a couple of singles in the first over. c Ahmadzai has bowled with a decent line and length. However his speed has only been in the mid 120's. IND 2-0 after 1 over.
09:35 IST : Right on the money! Wicket to wicket ball from Yamin Ahmadzai and Vijay taps it for a single. India open their account. IND 1-0
09:30 IST : Shikhar Dhawan and Murli Vijay are out at the center to start the proceedings for India. Yamin Ahmadzai will open the bowling for Afghanistan. Murli Vijay will face the first ball. Three slips and a gully for Afghanistan in the opening over.
09:20 IST : Sports Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore in on the ground alongside BCCI and ACB officials for the historic occasion.
Indian Sports Minister @Ra_THORe along with BCCI CEO @RJohri at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium ahead of the historic Test match against @ACBofficials.#INDvAFG pic.twitter.com/NOcABgS3w7 — BCCI (@BCCI) June 14, 2018
09:14 IST : Playing XI for India : Murli Vijay, Shikhar Dhawan, Cheteshwar Pujara, KL Rahul, Ajinkya Rahane (capt), Dinesh Karthik (wk), Hardik Pandya, R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav.
09:13 IST : First ever Test playing XI for Afghanistan : Mohammad Shahzad, Javed Ahmadi, Rahmat Shah, Asghar Stanikzai (capt), Hashmatullah Shahidi, Mohammad Nabi, Afsar Zazai (wk), Rashid Khan, Yamin Ahmadzai, Wafadar, Mujeeb Ur Rahman.
09:00 IST : Toss : India win the toss and opt to bat first against Afghanistan.
08:53 IST : Pitch Report : Lots of lateral movement expected on Day 1 of the Test as there is a tinge of green on the surface. Bright sunshine on the the ground. Win the toss and bowl first says Sunil Gavaskar in his pitch report.
08:50 IST : Boys are on the field, warming-up ahead of the toss.
08:46 IST : Big day is finally here for Afghanistan as they gear up for their maiden Test against number one ranked team India.
The big day has finally arrived and Afghanistan is all set to face India in the #HistoricTest match at Bengaluru#INDvsAFG #AFGvIND #PhenomenalRise pic.twitter.com/7fCjS4xv7S — Afghan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) June 13, 2018
08:45 IST : Hello and welcome to the live blog of Day 1 of the one-off Test between India and Afghanistan straight from M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru.
Having won all their last six Test series at home in the previous season, the Indians are expected to sail through easily as they aim to start the season on a high and take the confidence to the five-Test rubber in England. With a spin-heavy squad, the Afghans may be surely aiming for a fairy tale start to their Test journey as skipper Asghar Stanikzai also backed his spinners being better than the home trio of Ashwin, Jadeja and Kuldeep. In reality, the Indians have been more or less comfortable against the slower bowlers in the previous season barring the first Test against Australia in Pune last year. Afghanistan, on the other hand, won't find the going too easy against the seasoned Indian campaigners. While the star-studded bowling line-up has hogged most of the limelight, the Afghans would expect their batsmen to contribute equally if they hope for a dream start to their Test journey.
Most of the attention on Thursday was on Afghanistan who were making their debut in Test cricket, but the opening batsman demanded his own spotlight
