Kuldeep Yadav's double strike on final day seals record-breaking victory as debutant Manav Suthar shines with seven wickets

India registered their biggest-ever Test win on Saturday, thrashing Afghanistan by an innings and 300 runs inside three days at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium. Kuldeep Yadav triggered the final collapse with two wickets in two balls as the visitors folded for 112 in their second innings.

The victory margin surpasses India's previous best—an innings and 262 runs against Afghanistan themselves in 2019. For Afghanistan, this was only their fourth Test match since gaining Full Member status, and the gulf in experience showed.

Spinners run through fragile line-up

Asked to follow on after conceding a 412-run first-innings lead, Afghanistan never looked like saving the contest. Fourteen wickets tumbled on Day 3 alone, with the pitch offering increasing turn and variable bounce.

Washington Sundar finished with four second-innings wickets while Kuldeep picked up three. Debutant Manav Suthar and Mohammed Siraj chipped in with one each. The Afghan batters, barring Sediqullah Atal's 42 and Rahmanullah Gurbaz's 24, offered little resistance. Seven batters failed to reach double figures.

The Indian attack needed just 35.5 overs to wrap things up in the second dig.

Suthar's dream debut

The Rajasthan left-arm spinner, called up after impressive domestic performances, ended with match figures of 7 for 62. After taking three wickets on Day 2, Suthar added four more on Saturday morning to clean up the first innings at 152.

"He bowled stump to stump and was really disciplined," Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi admitted after the game. "The scoreboard pressure was there, and the pitch behaviour kept changing session by session."

Suthar's parents had travelled from Sri Ganganagar to watch him but returned home before his heroics—apparently due to superstition, according to team sources.

Batting foundation laid early

India's victory was set up by their first-innings total of 564 for 8 declared. Shubman Gill and KL Rahul struck centuries while Rishabh Pant and Sai Sudharsan contributed 81 runs each. Washington Sundar's 52 provided late impetus after India won the toss and opted to bat first on a dry surface.

The plan was to post 350-plus no matter where you're batting," Gill said after the match. "For the spinners, it was about gaining experience—how to set up batters in home conditions."

 India surpass West Indies' win tally

The victory marked India's 186th Test win in 599 matches, moving them ahead of the West Indies' tally of 185. Only Australia (426), England (405) and South Africa (191) have won more Tests. The result also provided some relief for the home side after losing 0-2 to South Africa last year, though that series was away from home against stronger opposition.

Afghanistan's Mohammad Saleem, who picked up a six-wicket haul in India's first innings, emerged as a rare positive for the visitors alongside Rahmat Shah's fighting 60.

The focus now shifts to the ODI series starting June 13.

India's cricket team is reeling from yet another blow as star all-rounder Washington Sundar injury strikes during the ongoing ODI series against New Zealand. Just 45 minutes ago, BCCI confirmed Sundar is ruled out for the rest of the series after a side strain in the first ODI at Kotambi Stadium, Baroda, on January 11. This marks the third Indian player sidelined in a week, piling pressure on the squad amid a hard-fought 1-0 lead.

The 26-year-old bowled five overs for 27 runs before walking off midway through New Zealand's innings. Despite visible discomfort, he batted at No. 8, scoring 7 off 7 balls to help KL Rahul seal a thrilling four-wicket chase of 300+. "Washington has been ruled out due to discomfort in his left lower rib area," a BCCI official told PTI. Dhruv Jurel stepped in as substitute fielder, but the damage was done.

Third Injury in Seven Days Hits India Hard

Washington Sundar injury follows a nightmare week for Team India. Wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant was sidelined before the opener with a side strain from training, replaced by Jurel. Youngster Tilak Varma underwent surgery for testicular torsion, missing the first three T20Is against New Zealand.

• Rishabh Pant injury: Side strain last week, out of ODIs.
  
  

• Tilak Varma: Surgery sidelines him for T20Is.
  
  

• Washington Sundar: Latest side strain, scans pending.
  
  

Captain Shubman Gill confirmed post-match: "Sundar has a side strain and will go for scans." KL Rahul added, "I knew he had discomfort but not the extent. He rotated strike well under pressure."

Victory Overshadowed in India vs New Zealand ODI

India clinched the first ODI despite Kyle Jamieson's 4/51, with Virat Kohli's near-century and Rahul's finishing heroics shining. BCCI honored Kohli and Rohit Sharma in Baroda, but Washington Sundar injury dims the joy. The chase marked India's 20th 300+ ODI pursuit win.

This string of setbacks echoes fitness woes that plagued recent campaigns. Two side strains in quick succession raise red flags on workload and preparation.

T20 World Cup 2026 Looms Large

Sundar, a key T20 World Cup 2026 squad member, now faces fitness doubts ahead of the February ICC event. With Champions Trophy and IPL on horizon, BCCI must prioritize recovery protocols.

Expert Take: Former selector Kris Srikkanth warns, "Recurring side strains signal bowling workload issues. India needs depth—think Axar Patel or Shivam Dube as backups." Team management eyes scans for timelines, but fans worry about depth.

Practical Takeaways for Fans and Aspirants:

• Monitor BCCI updates for replacements.
  
  

• Side strains often need 4-6 weeks; Sundar could miss IPL auctions.
  
  

• Builds case for uncapped talents like Nitish Reddy.
  
  

India's resilience shone in Baroda, but Washington Sundar injury tests depth. Can they sweep the series? Stay tuned as scans reveal more. This matters now—white-ball prep for global glory hangs in balance.