Indian opener KL Rahul smashed his 12th century in the longest format on the opening day of the one-off Test against Afghanistan in New Chandigarh on Saturday.
The right-hander reached his hundred off 164 balls, with the help of 11 fours. However, he was dismissed off the very next ball by fast bowler Ziaur Rahman, caught at extra-cover while driving.
Interestingly, this was his third score of exactly 100, having previously been dismissed right after reaching the triple-digit mark against England at Lord’s and againt West Indies in Ahmedabad last year.
Earlier in the day, Rahul was handed a lifeline while batting on 16 when Afghanistan opted not to review a caught behind appeal that was turned down by the on-field umpire. Rahul went slashing hard away from his body off the first delivery of the 11th over, bowled by Ziaur, prompting a huge appeal from the Afghans. However, the wicketkeeper and bowler weren’t convinced, and skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi didn’t take the review.
However, replays showed Rahul had got an edge on that ball, leaving the visiting skipper distraught.
The stylish batter went on to make Afghanistan pay, first adding 41 runs with Yashasvi Jaiswal for the opening wicket before piling on another 139 with Sai Sudharsan. After the left-hander fell 19 runs short of his maiden Test century, Rahul stitched a 67-run partnership with skipper Shubman Gill to put India in the driver’s seat.
Published on Jun 06, 2026
