Shikhar Dhawan celebrates after scoring his seventh Test century

Image courtesy of: BCCI/ESPNcricinfo

Afghanistan endured a rough introduction to Test cricket as India openers Shikhar Dhawan and Murali Vijay tore their bowling attack apart en route to scoring 107 and 105 respectively on the opening day in Bangalore.

Electing to bat first, India made an exceptional start to their innings as Dhawan and Vijay amassed a 168-run partnership, during which Dhawan brought up his hundred in the opening session.

Dhawan became the first Indian batsman and sixth player overall to score a century in the first session on the opening day of a Test match.

However, shortly after the lunch break, Yamin Ahmadzai took Afghanistan’s first-ever Test wicket as Dhawan was caught by Mohammad Nabi after Rahmat Shah at second slip parried the ball to him.

Dhawan’s superb innings of 107 came off 96 balls and included 19 boundaries and three sixes.

Vijay and Lokesh Rahul kept the runs flowing with an unbeaten 80-run stand before the rain came.

Play resumed after more than an hour, but was delayed again for 40 minutes as the rain returned.

Vijay and Rahul ended up forging a 112-run partnership, during which Vijay brought up his century and Rahul his half-century, before Vijay was given out lbw off the bowling of Wafadar for 105, which came off 153 deliveries and included 15 boundaries and a six.

Murali Vijay soaks in the moment after bringing up his 12th century in Test cricket

Image courtesy of: BCCI/ESPNcricinfo

Vijay opted to review the decision, but his gamble didn’t pay off as replays showed the ball clipping the top of off stump.

Rahul fell the very next over as he was clean bowled by Ahmadzai for 54, which came off 64 balls and included eight boundaries.

India stand-in captain Ajinkya Rahane only scored 10 runs before he was trapped lbw off the bowling of Rashid Khan.

Rahane was not given out initially, but Afghanistan called for a review, which worked in their favour as the ball was pitching in line and going on to hit middle stump.

Cheteshwar Pujara fell shortly after for 35, while wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik, playing in his first Test match since January 2010, was run out for four runs.

Hardik Pandya and Ravichandran Ashwin ensured India didn’t lose anymore wickets as they amassed an unbeaten 13-run stand.

Pandya finished on 10 off 21 balls, which included a solitary boundary, while Ashwin also struck a boundary during his 16-ball seven.

Ahmadzai was the pick of the bowlers with two wickets, while Wafadar, Rashid and Mujeeb Ur Rahman chipped in with one wicket apiece.

India ended day one on 347/6 and will continue batting on Friday at 09:30 local time or 04:00 GMT.