India Secures Historic Test Victory Against Afghanistan
A dominant performance by India’s spin attack, led by Suthar’s match figures of 7/62, resulted in the largest margin of victory in the nation’s Test cricket history.
India has recorded its largest victory in Test cricket history, defeating Afghanistan by an innings and 300 runs in a one-off match at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh on Monday. The result surpasses the previous national record of an innings-and-272-run margin against the West Indies in Rajkot in 2018, marking a significant milestone in the country’s sporting administration and competitive standing.
Debutant left-arm spinner Manav Suthar was the standout performer, claiming seven wickets for 62 runs in the match. He took six for 33 in the first innings and added one for 29 in the second. Suthar, a 23-year-old from Rajasthan, became only the 10th Indian bowler and seventh spinner to claim a five-wicket haul on Test debut. His figures of 6/33 represent the best bowling performance in an innings on Test debut by an Indian in 38 years, surpassing the mark set by Narendra Hirwani in 1988.
India batted first, declaring on 564/8 after strong contributions from the top order. KL Rahul and captain Shubman Gill struck commanding centuries, while Sai Sudharsan, Rishabh Pant, and Washington Sundar provided valuable half-centuries. The massive total put immediate pressure on Afghanistan, who were unable to counter India’s spin attack and were bowled out for 152 in their first innings.
Afghanistan was asked to follow on and fared poorly in their second innings, being dismissed for 112 in just 35.5 overs. Washington Sundar took 4/36 and Kuldeep Yadav claimed 3/30 as the visitors struggled against quality spin and shot selection. The match was concluded midway through the third day, securing a win that is jointly ranked as the 10th-largest innings victory in Test cricket history.
Suthar’s emergence is viewed as a strategic asset for Indian cricket, particularly given the retirement of Ravichandran Ashwin and the later stages of Ravindra Jadeja’s Test career. By joining an elite group of Indian bowlers to take six wickets in an innings during their maiden Test appearance, Suthar has positioned himself as a potential long-term successor in the national side.
