An angry Mohammed Siraj roused Rahmat Shah and precipitated the collapse of Afghanistan at Mullanpur

Indian fast bowler Mohammed Siraj played a key role in Afghanistan’s collapse on Day 3 of the one-off Test at Mullanpur on Monday, June 8.

Interestingly, Siraj’s biggest contribution didn’t come with the ball in hand.

The incident took place in the 53rd over of Afghanistan’s innings, with veteran Rahmat Shah batting alongside Sharafuddin Ashraf. Ashraf, nursing a leg injury, struggled with free movement and was largely relegated to defending deliveries on the stumps.

IND vs AFG Live Score: One Test, Day 3 Update

Seeing Ashraf’s limitations, Rahmat slipped into survival mode during the morning session, content to block deliveries and take the sting out of the Indian attack. The approach did not sit well with Siraj.

Never one to shy away from a confrontation, Siraj approached Rahmat and questioned his intent, urging the batsman to show more initiative instead of simply closing the deal.

The frustration was evident a ball earlier. On the third delivery in the 52nd over, Siraj played one of Rahmat’s defensive shots and flicked the ball back onto the stumps despite the batter staying firmly in his crease.

On the very next ball, Siraj exchanged words with Rahmat, urging him to play his shots and take the game forward.

The confrontation seemed to change the complexion of the innings.

Two matches later, India finally found a breakthrough. Ashraf tried to take over the bowling and paid the price when he hit wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant who completed a crisp catch behind the stumps.

The Afghan resistance quickly disintegrated after this release.

After losing Ashraf for 142, the visitors gave up three more wickets in the space of four overs and were eventually bowled out for 152.

Rahmat, Afghanistan’s only half-century of the innings, was cleaned up by debutant spinner Manav Suthar, who finished with a five-wicket haul in his first Test appearance.

Whether intentional or not, Siraj’s hit brought urgency to a stagnant match and helped trigger a collapse that put India firmly in control of the match.

Leading by 412 runs after Afghanistan’s first innings, India followed straight after the visitors before dismissing five of their batting with tea for just 98 runs. Opener Sediqullah Atal, who batted well in the second innings, was the last to fall before taking Tea on Day 3.

– The end

Issued by:

Kingshuk Kusari

Published on:

08 Jun 2026 14:29 IST