Sawt Falasteen - Rahul, Sudharsan push India to 209-2 in Afghanistan Test

Rahul, unbeaten on 81, and the left-handed Sudharsan put on 139 runs for the second wicket after India chose to bat first in New Chandigarh.

The pair frustrated the Afghanistan bowlers in hot and humid conditions in the northern Indian city until fast bowler Mohammad Saleem struck for the second time.

Saleem had Sudharsan caught behind for 81 after the number-three batter registered his third Test half-century with a four.

Sudharsan was dropped on 20 and 59 but made most of the reprieves, hitting 13 fours in 104 balls.

Rahul was batting strongly at the break with skipper Shubman Gill on 20.

Pace spearhead Ziaur Rahman almost had Rahul caught behind on 16 in the morning session, but the umpire turned down the appeal and Afghanistan did not ask for a review.

The ultra-edge technology suggested a clear spike when the ball passed the bat.

Saleem struck first to have Yashasvi Jaiswal caught behind for 24 after the left-handed opener attempted to flick a delivery sliding down leg side.

India's batters were able to counter the early swing and low bounce from Afghanistan's fast bowlers at India's newest Test venue.

Debutant left-arm spinner Nangeyalia Kharote nearly got a wicket in his first over after Sudharsan edged the ball to first slip but Rahmanullah Gurbaz dropped the catch.

India, ranked third in the world Test rankings, are looking to bounce back after suffering a 2-0 defeat to South Africa at home in November.

The match is not part of the World Test Championship cycle but is a key game for Afghanistan, who played their first five-day game in India in 2018.

Afghanistan, led by Hashmatullah Shahidi, are playing their 13th Test.

W.Mansour--SF-PST