IND vs AFG: Shikhar Dhawan owns a unique record with his sensational ton

Afghanistan began their journey in the longest format of the game on Thursday against the World number 1 side India in Bengaluru. It was a historic occasion as they became the 12th nation to embrace the Test cricket after Ireland played their debut game against Pakistan last month. However, it was a tough day at the office for them as they leaked 347 runs and were only smiling at the end because of the late wickets they picked in the final session.

They lost the toss and had to bowl first on a wicket which had a tinge of green on it. It was up to their pacers Yamin Ahmadzai and Wafadar to make use of the overcast conditions as well. But what transpired later was the worst thing to happen to them on their debut. Shikhar Dhawan got stuck into them after getting his eye in and didn’t spare a single delivery which were on offer abundantly.

What is the record?

Dhawan used his feet exceptionally well against the spinners and the first to come on his radar was Mohammad Nabi. However, the telling blow to the visitors’ hopes was the way he belted Rashid Khan. The leggie was welcomed to the world of Test cricket with three fours by the left-hander. He was so harsh on him that Rashid’s figures made it look like he is playing the T20. The left-hander eventually got to his century off just 87 balls and became the first Indian to score a ton before the lunch on the first day of a Test.

Overall, he became the sixth player to reach the milestone as the last person to do it was David Warner who had crossed the three-figure mark before lunch against Pakistan. Dhawan went past Virender Sehwag in terms of a highest individual score in the first session of a Test who earlier held the record by scoring 99 runs.

Also, the stylish left-hander now sits in the league of Don Bradman, Victor Trumper, Charlie Macartney and Majid Khan who have achieved the same record before.

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