Afghanistan are en route to become the 12th nation to play Test cricket as they are going to face the Indian team led by Ajinkya Rahane at M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Thursday.
Cricket news: Rahul shared a photo with Pandya on Twitter where both are seen in whites
Indian opener KL Rahul and all-rounder Hardik Pandya could not supress their excitement before the historic one-off Test.
Rahul had shared a photo in his Twitter handle along with Hardik Pandya where the duo has been seen wearing white wardrobe and the caption read, “We got the whites back on.”
Both Rahul and Pandya, who are part of the historic Test against Asghar Stanikzai-led Afghanistan, had last played the red-ball game back in January against South Africa.
Pandya had made his Test debut in July last year against Sri Lanka and has scored 297 runs at an average of 33.00 from 6 matches, besides taking 7 wickets.
KL Rahul had made his Test debut in 2014 against Australia in Melbourne, had scored 1458 runs so far with an average of 40.50 from 23 Tests, which includes four centuries and 10 half-centuries.
The stand-in captain Ajinkya Rahane has commented that it is a historic moment for both the Afghan side as well as for the hosts to be a part of this historic occasion.
“It’s a privilege to be playing in Afghanistan’s first Test match. It’s a historic moment for them and an opportunity for us to be part of the occasion,” Rahane was quoted as saying by the ICC in a release.
“They have a fine team and some talented players who have proved themselves in shorter formats. I’m sure they are looking forward to do the same in Test cricket. On behalf of the Indian team, I wish them all the best,” Rahane further added.
Afghanistan and Ireland were granted the status of Full Member and Test status last June. Ireland had debuted against Pakistan last month while Afghanistan will debut against India in the upcoming days.