of India One-time Test against Afghanistan He witnessed a master class on patience and temperament at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh. KL Rahul on opening day. A new phase begins in Test cricket under the captaincy with India Shubman Gillthe senior player stepped up when his team needed stability and produced a magnificent century to anchor the innings.
The match marked India’s first Test assignment of the year and gave several young players an opportunity to impress. However, Rahul’s experience and composure at the crease caught the eye as India gradually strengthened their fightback against the Afghan bowling attack.
KL Rahul scores a determined century against Afghanistan on the opening day of the Mullanpur Test
Rahul produced one of the most disciplined Test innings in recent times, bringing up his 12th century in the longest format. The right-handed batsman reached the three-figure mark off 164 deliveries, hitting 11 boundaries in a knock built on patience, sound technique and excellent game awareness.
The innings was particularly impressive considering Rahul survived an early scare. Batting on 16, he looked on the edge of one delivery Ziaur Rahman was behind the stumps but Afghanistan opted not to review after the field umpire dismissed the appeal. Replays further said there was an edge that gave Rahul a significant lifeline.
Afghanistan will regret this decision in the end. Rahul settled into his rhythm and gradually took control of the innings, first adding 41 runs for the opening wicket. Yashasvi Jaiswal before establishing an important 139 collaboration with Sai Sudharsan. The left-hander looked set for his century before falling to 81. Rahul continued to score runs with remarkable consistency and later put on another valuable stand of 67 runs with skipper Shubman.
But the celebrations lasted just one delivery. Looking to continue his momentum after reaching his century, Rahul attempted a wide attack against Ziaur but failed to keep the ball down. Rahmanullah Gurbazsettled in at short cover, reacted sharply and completed a beautiful low catch to end the innings.
The dismissal meant that Rahul once again finished with a perfect 100, continuing his unique trend in his Test career. It was the third time he had been dismissed shortly after reaching his century, having previously suffered a similar fate England Lord and West India in Ahmedabad.
Despite the unfortunate ending, Rahul’s contribution had already put India firmly in control. His innings laid the perfect foundation for the middle order and ensured that the hosts entered the latter stages of Day 1 from a position of strength.
Here’s how the fans reacted:
1️⃣2️⃣th Test hundred for KL Rahul 💯⚡#INDvAFG #KLRahul #TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/6R4v9nV4ez
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) June 6, 2026
Rahul signs with 𝐊𝐋𝐀𝐒𝐒𝐈𝐂 hundred 💯🙌 pic.twitter.com/1ZSEy6W3Mm
— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) June 6, 2026
HUNDRED FOR KL RAHUL AGAINST AFGHANISTAN.
– How he was beaten by KLR, he was phenomenal as a Test opener! 👏 pic.twitter.com/0PjPbUq8yO
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) June 6, 2026
🫡 KL RAHUL – 22 INTERNATIONAL HUNDREDS! ⭐🇮🇳
🏏 12 Tests
🏏 8 ODIs
🏏 2 T20IsA class act in all formats. What a player! 👏🔥#KLRahul #TeamIndia #IndianCricket #TestCricket #ODI #T20I #cricket pic.twitter.com/0JW38sCvnI
— Cricket Fan (@harty_sa) June 6, 2026
12th Test Century for 𝗞𝗟 𝗥𝗮hul 👏👏
AUS in Sydney (2015)
v SL in Colombo (2015)
v Kingston at WI (2016)
v ENG in Chennai (2016)
v ENG at The Oval (2018)
v ENG at Lords (2021)
v SA v Centurion (2021)
v SA v Centurion (2023)
v ENG at Leeds (2025)
v ENG at Lord’s (2025)… pic.twitter.com/brlWNddt97— 𝑺𝒉𝒆𝒃𝒂𝒔 (@Shebas_10dulkar) June 6, 2026
600 runs in IPL with 175 SR.
Back to cricket test hundreds now.
Simply put, KL Rahul is the best player in all formats in world cricket right now. 🐐❤️ pic.twitter.com/W9bjDgadnT
— Kunal Yadav (@Kunal_KLR) June 6, 2026
KL RAHUL WITH 22ND INTERNATIONAL CENTURY. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/Pex2b8Y40A
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) June 6, 2026
22 INTERNATIONAL FACES FOR KL RAHUL 👑
– 12 Hundred in Tests.
– 8 Hundreds in ODIs.
– 2 Hundreds in T20Is. pic.twitter.com/tAafAVKer0– Jones. (@CricCrazyJohns) June 6, 2026
KL Rahul bats 100 looks easy pic.twitter.com/nu8QrKofq8
— INCUBUS (@klraahull) June 6, 2026
12th century for KL Rahul in Test Cricket🏏👏
One of the best Test Keys of the last 2 years.💯 pic.twitter.com/Hp8LlJon8P
— Loyal INDIA Support 🦁🇮🇳 ™ (@KKRWeRule) June 6, 2026
Also READ: This is the reason why KL Rahul was not sold in the Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20 2026 auction
