KL Rahul ground his way to a hard-fought century on Day 1 of the one-off Test against Afghanistan.

What happened?

Rahul spent hours at the nets under the sweltering sun in the lead-up to the Test, trying to shed the habits of T20 batting.

He looked rusty at the start of his innings but managed to survive, with Afghanistan's new-ball bowlers making the most of the surface.

Rahul's frustration was visible as he searched for rhythm, but he found an able partner in Sai Sudharsan at the other end.

Why it matters for KL Rahul

The pair added 139 runs for the second wicket, with Rahul completing his half-century following an 86-ball grind on the first day of the Test.

Rahul's century was a testament to his patience and skill, as he navigated the challenges of red-ball cricket after two months of non-stop T20 cricket.

Sai Sudharsan made the most of his opportunity with a polished 81, justifying the faith placed in him by the team management.

What comes next?

India will look to build on their strong start, with Rahul and Sudharsan's partnership providing a solid foundation for the rest of the innings.

The Afghanistan bowlers will need to regroup and find a way to dismiss the Indian batsmen, who are currently in control of the match.

The one-off Test is scheduled to continue on the next day, with India aiming to secure a convincing victory over Afghanistan.

On the eve of the Test, Gautam Gambhir had said that Sai Sudharsan would get a "longer rope" and that the management had complete faith in him to succeed at No. 3.

Rahul found his rhythm as the day progressed, looking increasingly comfortable against spin after the early moisture disappeared.

He was dropped once, but barring that gift, Rahul looked solid, with his muscle memory of attacking cricket briefly taking over in an attempt to break the shackles.

The Indian team will be pleased with their performance on Day 1, with Rahul and Sudharsan's partnership being the highlight of the day.

The match is being played in Mullanpur, with the Indian team looking to make the most of their home advantage.

Rahul's century was his latest achievement in a successful career, with the Indian batsman continuing to impress with his skill and dedication.

The one-off Test is an important match for both teams, with India looking to secure a victory and Afghanistan aiming to cause an upset.

The Indian team's strong start has set them up well for the rest of the match, with Rahul and Sudharsan's partnership providing a solid foundation for the rest of the innings.