IND vs AFG Test Day 1: What Sunil Gavaskar said about Rishabh Pant and Shubman Gill's batting
Mullanpur: India put up a magnificent performance on the opening day, posting a score of 368/3. Powered by an unbeaten century from Shubman Gill, a brilliant century from KL Rahul, and a blistering unbeaten 50-run knock from Rishabh Pant, the host team reached a commanding position on Day 1 of the one-off Test against Afghanistan.
Speaking on 'Cricket Live', JioStar expert Sunil Gavaskar praised Gill's superb century and technique, discussed Pant's impressive innings in his 50th Test and Rahul's century (during which he also received a crucial reprieve), and shared his thoughts on how India could further extend their lead on Day 2.
Speaking on 'Cricket Live', Sunil Gavaskar heaped praise on Shubman Gill's batting, noting that watching him bat is a sheer delight: "It is a joy to watch Shubman Gill bat. He makes it look so easy. There is a rare purity to his batting. The way he brings his bat and pad together, the way he leans into a drive—there is perfection, or near-perfection, in everything he does."
Gavaskar said further,"His head remains steady, his balance is impeccable, and his shot selection is precise. That is what makes watching him bat such a pleasure. He doesn't just stay at the crease; he dominates it. He rotates the strike without taking risks and capitalizes on loose deliveries. No drama, no unnecessary theatrics—just solid, high-quality Test batting."
Gavaskar said that in an era where batters often try to attack every ball, Gill reminds you of old-school virtues—patience, timing, and placement. That is why he is such a delight to watch.
Rishabh Pant appeared calm and pressure-free
Commenting on how calm and pressure-free Rishabh Pant appeared during his innings, Gavaskar said, "It was wonderful to see Rishabh Pant batting with such freedom in his 50th Test. He is completely unburdened by the pressures of being India's Test vice-captain or leading an IPL team. He looked entirely composed; this was evident in his body language when he walked out to bat. There was no tension in his shoulders or any visible signs of stress—he simply looked calm and ready. Then came the over where he hit three sixes and began to play more expansively; that changed everything.
"You could sense his desire to make a mark by scoring a big century. He has already covered half the distance. Tomorrow, he might continue playing this way or perhaps adopt an even more aggressive approach. If he does, he could propel India to a total of 500 or 550 runs very quickly."
Regarding India's plans for the second day, Gavaskar said, "India will aim to add at least another 200 runs, which means they will likely bat until tea. As for Rishabh Pant, playing in his 50th Test, this is a golden opportunity to score a massive century. He will be eager to reach that milestone, silence his critics, and remind everyone why Test cricket is his favorite format."