Camaraderie, sportsmanship and friendship at display during India-Afghanistan test match.

The test match played between debutant Afghanistan and India was a one-sided affair, Indian cricket team comfortably sealed the victory in just the second day. The Indian cricket team comfortably managed to dominate the inexperienced Afghan cricket team and won by a huge margin of an innings and 262 runs. There were hardly any doubts about Afghanistan’s chances against a seasoned Indian side in the one off Test match. Even though Virat Kohli and the others were not in the team the team was still enough to convincingly dominate the proceedings of the match. It was however, not the game which was played but the sentiments shared between the two teams and the people of the two countries which will be remembered for a long time to come. From the very start the Afghan cricket team were welcomed by none other than the Indian PM Narendra Modi with a letter. The letter spoke about the courage and strength of the Afghan side and also thanked them for choosing India for their debut. 

India and Afghanistan have shared a close bond and this was reinforced by this match. Afghani team deserves a salute for building their team step by step and so does the Indian cricket team led by Ajinkya Rahane for the heart warming gesture displayed by them in the presentation.

A test match is the hardest format of Cricket, not just skills but also your grit, determination and experience are tested to the core. The Afghan cricket team had all of these barring one, experience, and it showed in the way they played the Test match. Experience is gained by lots of hard work and time though, it will come to them as well. What they have received in India at the hands of the Indian cricket team and fans though is something much bigger. The wickets they took were cheered on, they were encouraged by all on the field and numerous people waved flags of both India and Afghanistan together in the stadium. An evidence of mutual respect and love, this was the first test match for our long time friend, why shouldn’t the Indians be excited.

This show of respect and brotherhood went ahead even after the match by the Indian team captain Ajinkya Rahane. During the presentation ceremony, the Indian cricket team led by the captain Rahane were posing with the trophy for the one off test match series. Ajinkya Rahane made the grand gesture of inviting the Afghan captain Asghar Stanikzai and all other Afghan players to come join the Indian team for the group photograph. The Indian cricket team were already posing for the photo with the trophy and they were joined by the Afghani side as well. The trophy was prominently passed on to the front where Afghani cricket team were positioned and frankly nobody cared about the trophy for all eyes and camera were focused on the camaraderie between players from the two sides. The welcome and the appreciation they have received in India will thoroughly boost the confidence of not just the Afghani players but also of those who were watching Afghani cricket team playing for the first time in white jersey from their home in distant Afghanistan.

The war torn country has seen and been through a lot, India and the Indian cricket team did all they could to give them the welcome they deserved in Test match cricket. Ajinkya Rahane and the Indian cricket team displayed a beautiful gesture and the large hearted Afghanis reciprocated it all through the match. This will continue in the days to come as India and Afghanistan keep coming closer, till then, All the best to Afghanistan and its cricket team.