India strengthened their grip in the one-off Test against Afghanistan With a dominant batting performance on the opening day at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur. After a solid platform is laid Sai Sudharsan and KL Rahul and influential contributions of the highest order, Rishabh pants provided the late fireworks that brought the crowd to its feet.
The left-handed batsman reached the crease with India already in command position, but his aggressive intent ensured the hosts ended the day on an even stronger note. Pant’s fearless batting injected fresh energy into the batting and left the Afghanistan bowlers searching for a reply.
Rishabh Pant hits three sixes in one
Pant took a cautious approach after coming to the crease first. The wicketkeeper-batsman managed just seven runs from his first 21 deliveries and was content to settle for assessing the conditions. However, that all changed during Game 68 Abdul Malik. Pant charged down the track and launched the first delivery which he aimed straight back for a big six. The aggressive shot immediately put pressure on Malik, who struggled to regain control.
A couple of deliveries later, Pant once again used his legs brilliantly to hit his full toss for another powerful six on the leg side. Sensing the bowler’s anxiety, the Indian star continued his attack. Malik then bowled a short one and Pant bounced back before sending it into the stands over mid-wicket for his third six. To make matters worse for Afghanistan, Malik was twice out of bounds during the over, including one in which a loud complaint against Pant was dismissed after the no-ball siren.
We present the video:
To the tribune… three times in one! 🚀
Vintage Rishabh pants on display 👊
Updates ▶️ https://t.co/Au50EfVM30#TeamIndia | #INDvAFG | @IDFCFIRSTBank | @RishabhPant17 pic.twitter.com/rtJfeZLPdT
— BCCI (@BCCI) June 6, 2026
Also READ: Fans celebrate KL Rahul’s furious century against Afghanistan on Day 1 of one-off Test
India dominate Day 1 against Afghanistan
Earlier in the day, Rahul closed the innings with a composed century, scoring his 12th Test hundred. He made exactly 100 before being dismissed immediately after reaching the opening mark. His innings featured crucial partnerships Yashasvi JaiswalSudharsan and Capt Shubman GillHe put India in a commanding position.
Sudharsan narrowly missed out on his maiden Test century after falling for 81, while Gill anchored the innings with a well-crafted 103 off 143 deliveries and reached his hundred with 11 fours and a six. Pant reached his 19th Test half-century and remained unbeaten at stumps. With India firmly in control at 368/3 at the end of Day 1, Pant and the lower middle order will continue to attack when play resumes on Day 2.
