India, June 6, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Opener KL Rahul survived an early reprieve to steer India to 96-1 at lunch on the first day of the one-off cricket Test against Afghanistan on Saturday.

Rahul was caught behind on 16 off pace spearhead Ziaur Rahman after India elected to bat first in New Chandigarh, but the umpire turned down the appeal and Afghanistan did not review.

The ultra-edge technology suggested a clear spike when the ball passed the bat.

Rahul, on 37, and Sai Sudharsan, on 32, were batting at the break in an unbeaten stand of 55 for the second wicket.

Pace bowler Mohammad Saleem struck first to send back Yashasvi Jaiswal, caught behind for 24 after the left-handed opener attempted to flick a delivery sliding down the leg.

Indian batters countered early swing and low bounce off the pitch from Afghanistan quicks at India's newest Test venue on a hot and humid day in the northern Indian city.

Debutant left-arm spinner Nangeyalia Kharote nearly got a wicket in his first over after Sudharsan edged the ball to first slip but Rahmanullah Gurbaz dropped the catch. Sudharsan was on 20.

Earlier, India handed an international debut to left-arm spinner Manav Suthar after Gill won the toss.

India, ranked third in world Test rankings, are looking to bounce back after suffering a 2-0 defeat to South Africa at home in November in their most recent Test outing.

The match is not part of the World Test Championship cycle, but a key game for Afghanistan who played their debut five-day game in India in 2018.

Afghanistan, led by Hashmatullah Shahidi, are playing their 13th Test.