from india the only test against afghanistan Masterclass in patience and temperament witnessed at Maharaja Yadvendra Singh International Cricket Stadium, New Chandigarh KL Rahul opening day. India started a new phase in Test cricket under the leadership of the captain. Shubman GillThe senior opening batsman stepped up when his team needed stability, and scored a brilliant century to propel the innings.
This match was the first Test match of the year for India and gave many young players a chance to impress. However, it was Rahul’s experience and calm presence at the crease that came to the fore as India gradually took hold of the contest against Afghanistan’s spirited bowling attack.
KL Rahul scored a century against Afghanistan on the first day of Mullanpur Test.
Rahul produced one of his most disciplined Test innings in recent times, bringing up his 12th century in the longest format. The right-handed batsman reached the three-figure mark by hitting 11 fours in 164 balls on the strength of patience, good technique and excellent game awareness.
This innings was particularly impressive as Rahul survived an early scare. Batting on 16, he appeared to edge a ball Ziaur Rahman Behind the stumps, but Afghanistan opted not to review after an appeal was turned down by the on-field umpire. Replays later showed that there was indeed a lead, giving Rahul a vital lifeline.
Afghanistan will ultimately regret that decision. Rahul got into his rhythm and gradually took control of the innings and added 41 runs for the first wicket. Yashasvi Jaiswal Before making an important partnership of 139 runs with Sai Sudarshan. The left-handed batsman looked to be on his way to his century before falling on 81 runs. Rahul continued to score with remarkable consistency and later added another valuable partnership of 67 runs with captain Shubman.
However, the celebration lasted only for one delivery. Trying to keep the momentum going after reaching his century, Rahul attempted a wide drive against Ziaur but failed to stop the ball. Rahmanullah GurbazDeployed at short cover, reacted sharply and completed a good low catch to end the innings.
The dismissal meant that Rahul was once again out on exactly 100, continuing a strange trend in his Test career. This was the third time that he was out immediately after reaching the century mark, before which he had also suffered a similar loss. England at Lord’s and west indies In Ahmedabad.
Despite the unfortunate ending, Rahul’s contribution had already put India firmly in control. His innings provided the perfect base for the middle order and ensured that the hosts entered the final stages of the first day in a strong position.
Here’s how fans reacted:
KL Rahul’s 1๏ธโฃ2๏ธโฃth test century ๐ฏโ#INDvAFG #KLRahul #TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/6R4v9nV4ez
โ CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) 6 June 2026
Rahul finished with a ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ century pic.twitter.com/1ZSEy6W3Mm
โ Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) 6 June 2026
KL Rahul’s century against Afghanistan.
– What a brilliant innings by KLR, he has been phenomenal as a Test opener! ๐ pic.twitter.com/0PjPbUq8yO
– Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) 6 June 2026
๐ซก KL Rahul โ 22 International centuries! โญ๐ฎ๐ณ
๐ 12 tests
๐ 8 ODI
๐ 2 T20IsOne class works in all formats. What a player! ๐๐ฅ#KLRahul #TeamIndia #IndianCricket #testcricket #ODI #t20i #Cricket pic.twitter.com/0JW38sCvnI
– Cricket Lover (@harty_sa) 6 June 2026
12th Test century for ๐๐ ๐ฅ๐ฎ๐ต๐๐น ๐๐
vs Australia, Sydney (2015)
vs Sri Lanka, Colombo (2015)
vs West Indies, Kingston (2016)
vs England, Chennai (2016)
vs England at The Oval (2018)
vs England at Lord’s (2021)
vs SA in Centurion (2021)
vs SA, Centurion (2023)
vs England at Leeds (2025)
vs England at Lord’s (2025)โฆ pic.twitter.com/brlWNddt97– ๐บ๐๐๐๐๐ (@Shebas_10dulkar) 6 June 2026
600 runs in IPL with SR of 175.
Now returning to Test cricket with a century.
KL Rahul is currently the best player in all formats of world cricket. ๐โค๏ธ pic.twitter.com/W9bjDgadnT
โ Kunal Yadav (@Kunal_KLR) 6 June 2026
KL Rahul with his 22nd international century. ๐ฅ pic.twitter.com/Pex2b8Y40A
– Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) 6 June 2026
22 international centuries of KL Rahul ๐
– 12 centuries in Test.
– 8 centuries in ODIs.
โ 2 centuries in T20Is. pic.twitter.com/tAafAVKer0– Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) 6 June 2026
100 runs seems easy when KL Rahul bats pic.twitter.com/nu8QrKofq8
– Incubus (@klraahull) 6 June 2026
KL Rahul’s century number 12 in test cricket๐๐
One of the best test openers in the last 2 years.๐ฏ pic.twitter.com/Hp8LlJon8P
– Staunch India Supporter ๐ฆ๐ฎ๐ณ โข (@KKRWeRule) 6 June 2026
Also read: Here’s why the KL Rahul Maharaja Trophy went unsold in the KSCA T20 2026 auction
