Rishabh Pant Ignites Mullanpur Test with Explosive Three-Six Over on Day 1 against Afghanistan

India established a commanding lead in their one-off Test against Afghanistan, courtesy of a dominant batting display on the opening day at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur. Following a stable foundation laid by Sai Sudharsan and KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant provided the late-day fireworks that electrified the crowd.

Entering the crease with India already in control, the left-handed batter utilized his signature aggressive style to ensure the hosts ended the day in a position of absolute strength. Pant’s fearless approach shifted the momentum further, leaving the Afghan bowling attack struggling for rhythm.

Pant’s Aggressive Assault on Abdul Malik

After a measured start where he scored just seven runs from his first 21 balls, Pant suddenly shifted gears during the 68th over. Facing spinner Abdul Malik, Pant charged down the wicket to smash the first targeted delivery straight over the bowler’s head for a massive six. This sudden burst of aggression immediately unsettled Malik.

The onslaught continued as Pant once again used his feet to dispatch a full toss over the leg side for a second six. Capitalizing on the bowler’s growing discomfort, Pant responded to a short delivery by rocking back and sending the ball deep into the mid-wicket stands for a third maximum in the same over. Adding to the frustration for Afghanistan, Malik committed two no-balls during the over, including one that negated a loud caught-behind appeal against the Indian wicketkeeper.

Watch the highlights:

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Into the stands… three times in one over!

Vintage Rishabh Pant on display

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— BCCI (@BCCI) June 6, 2026

India’s Comprehensive Day 1 Performance

The day was defined by steady contributions from the top order, headlined by KL Rahul, who anchored the innings with a composed century—his 12th in Test cricket. Rahul was dismissed for exactly 100 shortly after reaching the milestone, having built vital partnerships with Yashasvi Jaiswal and captain Shubman Gill.

Sudharsan fell just short of a maiden Test century, departing for a solid 81, while Gill played a masterful knock, scoring 103 off 143 deliveries, featuring 11 boundaries and a six. Pant, who reached his 19th Test half-century, remained unbeaten at the close of play. India ended Day 1 firmly in the driver’s seat at 368/3, poised to extend their lead on Day 2.

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