Chandigarh

India captain Shubman Gill achieved another significant milestone in his Test career on Saturday, becoming the 11th Indian skipper to score 1,000 runs as captain during the one-off Test against Afghanistan at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium.

Gill reached the landmark in his 15th innings as Test captain, making him the second-fastest Indian to the feat after Sunil Gavaskar, who achieved it in 14 innings. The 26-year-old also became the quickest Indian captain to reach the mark in terms of time, accomplishing it within just 351 days of assuming leadership responsibilities.

The century against Afghanistan further strengthened Gill's growing record as captain. He now has six Test hundreds in only 15 innings as skipper. Among Indian captains, only Virat Kohli has scored more Test centuries, with 20 hundreds from 113 innings. Gavaskar follows with 11 centuries, while Mohammad Azharuddin and Sachin Tendulkar registered nine and seven centuries respectively during their captaincy tenures.

Gill's latest hundred was also his 11th overall in Test cricket and played a key role in putting India in a commanding position on the opening day.

Meanwhile, wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant marked a personal milestone by making his 50th Test appearance for India. Among Indian wicketkeepers, only former captain MS Dhoni and Syed Kirmani have featured in more Test matches.

India dominated proceedings on the first day of the match, finishing at 368 for three in 85 overs after opting to bat first. Gill remained unbeaten on 103, while KL Rahul struck a fluent century. Pant added an unbeaten half-century as the hosts piled on the runs against the Afghan attack.

Afghanistan's bowlers found limited success, with Mohammad Saleem Safi claiming two wickets and Ziaur Rahman Sharifi picking up one.

India's innings began steadily through openers KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal. Jaiswal looked positive early on but was dismissed for 24 by Safi, leaving India at 41 for one. Sai Sudharsan then joined Rahul, and the duo stitched together a valuable partnership to stabilise the innings before lunch.

Rahul and Sudharsan continued to frustrate the visitors in the second session. Rahul reached his fifty, while Sudharsan brought up a composed half-century before falling for 81. Gill then took charge alongside Rahul, guiding India beyond the 200-run mark.

The third session belonged entirely to the home side. Rahul completed his 12th Test century but was dismissed immediately after reaching the milestone. Gill, however, continued to bat confidently and brought up his century in the 83rd over. Pant provided strong support with an aggressive unbeaten knock, including several towering sixes, as the pair ensured India finished the day firmly in control.

At stumps, Gill was unbeaten on 103 from 143 deliveries, while Pant remained not out on 50 off 70 balls, leaving India well placed heading into the second day.

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Brief Scores: India 368/3 in 85 overs (Shubman Gill 103*, KL Rahul 100, Sai Sudharsan 81; Mohammad Saleem Safi 2/67) against Afghanistan.