IND vs AFG 2026, Only Test: Rishabh Pant engages in hearty moment with Afghanistan substitute

India is taking on Afghanistan in a one-off Test at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur. In a hearty moment during Day 1 on June 6, Rishabh Pant was handed water by one of the substitutes from the Afghanistan team during a drinks break in the 40-degree heat at the venue. The video of the moment has been doing the rounds on social media, being praised for the sportsmanship and upholding the spirit of the game.

Gentleman’s game#INDvAFG #AFGvIND

Electing to bat first, India finished their innings declaring on a score of 564 for 8 in 127 overs. The innings saw two centurions, with KL Rahul falling immediately after getting to his hundred, while Shubman Gill top-scored with an innings of 126, his sixth century as skipper of the side, and 11th in the format.

Pant, along with Sai Sudharsan, was dismissed for an identical score of 81. The wicketkeeper-batter, coming off a dismal IPL season, looked calm and composed on the crease before a big shot was his undoing on Day 2. Washington Sundar scored a half-century, with vital runs from debutant Manav Suthar and Mohammed Siraj in the end saw India cross the 500-run mark, before they announced their declaration.

Pant's innings was one of composure and attacking flair, often associated with his batting. While the latter was missing from his game in the IPL, he looked in familiar territory, taking the attack to Afghanistan's spinners in the heat of the day. He reached his half-century off 70 balls before the close of play on Day 1 and looked well-set to reach three figures on Day 2, when an attacking lofted shot against off-spinner Hashmatullah Shahidi saw him sky a catch to Azmatullah Omarzai at long off. For Afghanistan, Mohammad Saleem finished the innings with figures of 6 for 140, and was the pick of the bowlers.