India 564 for 8 dec (Gill 126, Rahul 100, Sai Sudharsan 81, Pant 81, Saleem 6-140) vs Afghanistan
India dominated another session to put on 564 and sent Afghanistan in to bat just for over 20 minutes before tea. They peeled off 89 runs in 17 overs in the second session, thanks to Washington Sundar's unbeaten 52 and Mohammed Siraj's 12-ball 22.
Mohammad Saleem got a six-for in his second Test with prolonged spells. He got some support from Azmatullah Omarzai, who eventually went wicketless.
Afghanistan started the second session with spin much to debutant Manav Suthar's delight. He helped himself to two sixes off Hashmatullah Shahidi as India made 29 off the first three overs after lunch. Saleem joined Omarzai to cut down runs at first. It led to Suthar being caught behind looking to drive through cover.
Siraj, promoted over Kuldeep Yadav, scored all his runs in boundaries. He took apart left-arm spinner Nangeyalia Kharote, he cut Saleem despite not getting width. Saleem responded by beating his slog and denting middle stump.
Washington and Kuldeep didn't hurry. Saleem continued to bowl at a high pace even after bowling upwards of 25 overs and beat Kuldeep's edge regularly. The only bit of intent against Saleem came in the final over of the innings. Washington started it with a pulled six and flicked past mid-on to bring up fifty.
The day began with Afghanistan taking the new ball in the second over and they found seam and swing immediately. Omarzai trapped Gill in front of leg stump and had Pant nick to the wicketkeeper the very next ball in the 89th over. The umpire gave them both not out and wasn't challenged on both occasions. Afghanistan had one review remaining at the time but failed to make use of it.
Full report to follow...