India tightened their grip on 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 laid by Sai Sudharsan and KL Rahul and impressive contributions from the top order, Rishabh Pant provided the late fireworks that brought the crowd to its feet.

The left-handed batter arrived at the crease with India already in a commanding position, but his aggressive intent ensured the hosts finished the day on an even stronger note. Pant’s fearless strokeplay injected fresh energy into the innings and left Afghanistan’s bowlers searching for answers.

Rishabh Pant unleashes three sixes in a single over

Pant initially adopted a cautious approach after coming to the crease. The wicketkeeper-batter managed only seven runs from his first 21 deliveries and looked content to settle in while assessing the conditions. However, everything changed during the 68th over bowled by spinner Abdul Malik. Pant charged down the track and launched the first delivery he targeted straight back over the bowler’s head for a massive six. The aggressive stroke immediately put pressure on Malik, who struggled to regain control of the over.

A few deliveries later, Pant once again used his feet brilliantly, converting a full toss into another towering six over the leg side. Sensing the bowler’s discomfort, the Indian star continued his assault. Malik then dropped one short, and Pant rocked back before dispatching it deep into the stands over mid-wicket for his third six of the over. To make matters worse for Afghanistan, Malik also overstepped twice during the over, including one occasion when a loud caught-behind appeal against Pant was rendered irrelevant after the no-ball siren sounded.

Here’s the video:

Into the stands… three times in one over! 🚀

Vintage Rishabh Pant on display 👊

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Also READ: Fans applaud KL Rahul’s gritty century against Afghanistan on Day 1 of one-off Test

India dominate Day 1 against Afghanistan

Earlier in the day, Rahul anchored the innings with a composed century, registering his 12th Test hundred. The opener made exactly 100 before being dismissed immediately after reaching the milestone. His innings featured crucial partnerships with Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sudharsan and captain Shubman Gill, putting India in a commanding position.

Sudharsan narrowly missed out on a maiden Test century after falling for 81, while Gill anchored the innings with a well-crafted 103 from 143 deliveries, reaching his hundred with 11 fours and a six. Pant reached his 19th Test half-century and remained unbeaten at stumps. At the end of Day 1, India stood firmly in control at 368/3, with Pant and the lower middle order set to continue the assault when play resumes on Day 2.

Also READ: Fans go crazy as Shubman Gill slams a magnificent century to power India into a dominant position versus Afghanistan on Day 1 of Mullanpur Test