New Delhi: India tightened their grip on the one-off Test against Afghanistan on Monday, but the biggest talking point during the morning session came from another DRS error by the spectators and the animated scenes approaching their dugout.Starting the third day at 113 for five, Afghanistan scored 152 to concede a huge first innings lead of 412 with left-arm spinner Manav Sathar completing the dream with 6 for 33 in 22 overs. India, who declared their first innings at 564 for eight, wasted little time in enforcing the follow-on.
Confusion and a heated exchange near the dugout
The drama began in the 58th over when Sattar trapped No. 10 batsman Muhammad Saleem Safi in front. On-field umpire Richard Illingworth immediately raised his finger and Safi initially appeared keen to challenge the decision.However, in a strange turn of events, the left-hander started walking back to the pavilion without checking. Moments later, the confusion gave way to palpable frustration near Afghanistan’s boundary line as Safi was seen having animated exchanges with teammates and support staff near the dugout.Television cameras captured the discussions asking why the batsman did not opt for DRS despite expressing interest in doing so.The replay only added to Afghanistan’s agony.Ball-tracking later revealed that the delivery was made outside the leg-stump, meaning the on-field decision would have been overturned if Safi had reviewed it. While the impact was in front of the stumps, the pitching point misled the dismissal, giving Soothor a slice of luck and Afghanistan another painful DRS lesson.
Manusuther’s dream debut continues.
The dismissal gave Sattar his sixth wicket and a memorable debut performance for the 23-year-old. The left-arm spinner tore through the lower order as Afghanistan added just 39 runs to their overnight score.After the visitors were bowled out for 152, India enforced the follow-on and maintained complete control of the contest.
