IND vs AFG: Afghan supporters struggle but head coach sees valuable lessons

Afghanistan head coach Richard Pybus believes debutant Nangeyalia Kharote and senior spinner Abdul Malik will become better bowlers despite enduring a tough opening day against India’s formidable batting line-up in the one-off Test in Mullanpur.

These two spinners found life tough against the Indian side they were leading century by KL Rahul and Shubman Gill. Kharote bowled 19 overs while Malik sent down six as the pair conceded 131 runs in their 25 overs combined without taking a wicket.

Despite the stark numbers, Afghanistan head coach Pybus insisted the experience will be invaluable for the bowlers, who have largely developed their game in Afghanistan’s domestic system.

IND vs AFG, TEST DAY 1 ONLY: MAIN | SCORECARD

“I think when you make your India debut against India, it’s a place to come and learn, isn’t it?” Pybus said after the game ended on day 1.

“You come out of Afghanistan first-class cricket and then you bowl against the best players in the world.”

KHAROTE HAS PROVEN CHARACTER, SAYS PYBUS

While Kharote was developed under the pressure of the Indian batting all day, Pybus felt the left-arm spinner showed encouraging signs as the innings progressed.

The Afghanistan coach said the youngster had indeed been given a measure of the standards required at the highest level and was pleased with the way he responded after a difficult start.

“And he was tested today and he showed exactly the type of control and consistency that he needs. It was a lot of pressure on him,” Pybus said.

“I felt for him to come back later in the day and jump better, I thought it showed a lot of character because there would be some young guys out there that would really be trying to come back.”

Kharote was introduced after the opening session and initially found some help from the surface, but India gradually took control as the pitch loosened up and the batting settled.

MALIK’S NO-BALLS ADDED AFGHANISTAN

Abdul Malik’s outing was further hampered by a series of setbacks, including one that denied Afghanistan what looked like a potential breakthrough against Rishabh Pant.

Pybus suggested that the repeated overs may have contributed to the decision to limit Malik’s workload despite India having left-handers at the crease for much of the innings.

“With Malik, I think maybe the captain was a bit worried. Malik bowled a couple of no-balls. Taking one of the main spinners down really put the pressure on us,” he said.

However, the coach praised the Afghan seamer who kept questioning the Indian batsmen despite the limited reward on an increasingly welcoming surface.

“As far as the pitchers go, I thought they stuck with it really well. I think it’s a beautiful ballpark. It was a little slow in the first practice and now it looks like a fantastic ballpark.”

PYBUS NOT CRAZY AT RAHUL’S HAPPY ESCAPE

Pybus also refused to make an issue of KL Rahul’s early dismissal after TV replays showed the Indian opener had edged a delivery from Ziaur Rahman to wicketkeeper Afsar Zazai.

Afghanistan chose not to review the decision on the spot, allowing Rahul to continue. The opener went on to score a century, laying the platform for India’s dominant day with the bat.

However, Pybus felt that such moments were simply part of the game.

“I think it balances out for the better. I don’t have a problem with a guy standing up. Sometimes they get bad calls. Sometimes they get a little decency. Sometimes you don’t know. Sometimes you get a feather and you don’t feel it.”

With India ending the day firmly in control, Afghanistan will now be hoping that the difficult lessons learned by their young spinners will help them mount a stronger response throughout the Test.

– The end

Issued by:

Amar Panicker

Published on:

June 6, 2026 9:58 PM IST