As India prepare to face Afghanistan in a one-off Test starting on 6 June in New Chandigarh, with young captain Shubman Gill leading the hosts and Hashmatullah Shahidi captaining the visitors, it is worth revisiting a memorable moment from their first-ever Test meeting in 2018, when India showed that cricket is about much more than winning.
Afghanistan’s historic Test debut came against India at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru in June 2018. The match marked a major milestone in Afghanistan’s cricketing journey as they became the 12th Full Member nation of the ICC. While India dominated the contest and secured victory by an innings and 262 runs in just two days, it was what happened after the match that left a lasting impression on the cricketing fraternity and fans alike.
As the presentation ceremony concluded, stand-in India captain Ajinkya Rahane invited Afghanistan captain Asghar Afghan and the rest of the squad to join India in the victory photograph. Instead of celebrating separately, the Indian team shared the moment with their opponents, acknowledging the significance of Afghanistan’s entry into Test cricket and boosting their morale.
The heartwarming gesture was praised across the cricketing world. Former England captain Kevin Pietersen applauded the act on X, writing: “Wonderful sportsmanship! Bravo!”
During the post-match presentation, Rahane also acknowledged Afghanistan’s efforts, saying: “We did not take Afghanistan lightly… Credit to Afghanistan. Their seamers bowled really well, especially in the third session yesterday and I am sure they will go a long way.”
For Afghanistan, the match was about more than the result. It was the culmination of years of struggle and dedication under challenging circumstances. India’s gesture recognised that journey and highlighted the values that make cricket unique. Through this act, India demonstrated why cricket is often referred to as the ‘gentlemen’s game’.
Player of the Match Shikhar Dhawan also congratulated the Afghan side, saying: “I want to congratulate Afghanistan for making it to this level and Eid Mubarak to all of them. It’s always a learning process. Once they play other sides and start winning, they will get confidence. It’s a big boost for their country. I would like to thank the audience for all coming here.”
Eight years later, the bond between Indian and Afghan cricketers serves as a reminder that while victories and records are remembered, acts of kindness and sportsmanship often leave the most enduring impact.
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The post When India Shared the Spotlight: Rahane’s Gesture That Won Hearts During Afghanistan’s Test Debut appeared first on Sports News Portal | Revsportz.
