Gill, Rahul centuries lead dominant India to 368-3 on Day 1 of one-off test against Afghanistan

NEW CHANDIGARH, India (AP) — Skipper Shubman Gill and Lokesh Rahul scored centuries as India dominated Day 1 of the one-off test against Afghanistan by amassing 368-3 on Saturday.

Gill was unbeaten on 103 off 143 balls, while Rahul hit 100 in 165 deliveries after the home team had won the toss at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, which became the 31st test venue in India.

Yashasvi Jaiswal (24) and Rahul put on 41 for the first wicket before the former was caught behind off Mohammad Saleem.

Rahul gained a life when his edge was unseen by the umpire and Afghanistan chose not to review. He went on to score his 12th test hundred before being caught at extra cover off Ziaur Rahman.

Rahul, who hit 11 fours, and Sai Sudharsan put on 139 for the second wicket.

Sudharsan struck 81 off 104 balls, including 13 fours, before falling to Saleem before tea. Gill and Rishabh Pant then added 121 off 148 balls.

Gill's century was chanceless and included 11 fours and a six, while Pant hit three sixes in his unbeaten 50.

It is only the second test between the teams. Previously they met in 2018, when India hosted Afghanistan’s inaugural test in Bengaluru and the home side won by an innings and 262 runs.

Overall, it is the 13th test for Afghanistan. No points will go toward the World Test Championship.

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India's KL Rahul has a drink during a break in play on day one of the cricket test match between Afghanistan and India in New Chandigarh, India, Saturday, June 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashwini Bhatia)

India's KL Rahul, right, puts on his helmet as captain Shubman Gill looks on during a break in play on day one of the cricket test match between Afghanistan and India in New Chandigarh, India, Saturday, June 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashwini Bhatia)

India's KL Rahul celebrates his century on day one of the cricket test match between Afghanistan and India in New Chandigarh, India, Saturday, June 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashwini Bhatia)

India's captain Shubman Gill, left, and batting partner Rishabh Pant run between the wickets on day one of the cricket test match between Afghanistan and India in New Chandigarh, India, Saturday, June 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashwini Bhatia)

India's captain Shubman Gill celebrates his century on day one of the cricket test match between Afghanistan and India in New Chandigarh, India, Saturday, June 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashwini Bhatia)

Afghanistan's Mohammad Saleem, left, celebrates the wicket of India's Yashasvi Jaiswal on day one of the cricket test match between Afghanistan and India in New Chandigarh, India, Saturday, June 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashwini Bhatia)

India's Manav Suthar is congratulated by teammates as he makes his test debut before the start of play on day one of the cricket test match between Afghanistan and India in New Chandigarh, India, Saturday, June 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashwini Bhatia)

India's Sai Sudharsan bats on day one of the cricket test match between Afghanistan and India in New Chandigarh, India, Saturday, June 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashwini Bhatia)

Afghanistan's Abdul Malik bowls a delivery on day one of the cricket test match between Afghanistan and India in New Chandigarh, India, Saturday, June 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashwini Bhatia)

India's Sai Sudharsan bats on day one of the cricket test match between Afghanistan and India in New Chandigarh, India, Saturday, June 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashwini Bhatia)

Afghanistan's captain Hashmatullah Shahidi, left, and India's captain Shubman Gill walk after posing with the winners' trophy before the start of play on day one of the cricket test match between Afghanistan and India in New Chandigarh, India, Saturday, June 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashwini Bhatia)

India's Kuldeep Yadav warms up before the start of play on day one of the cricket test match between Afghanistan and India in New Chandigarh, India, Saturday, June 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashwini Bhatia)

India's captain Shubman Gill, left, and Afghanistan's captain Hashmatullah Shahidi shake hands next to the winners' trophy before the start of play on day one of the cricket test match between Afghanistan and India in New Chandigarh, India, Saturday, June 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashwini Bhatia)

Afghanistan's captain Hashmatullah Shahidi, left, and India's captain Shubman Gill pose with the winners' trophy before the start of play on day one of the cricket test match between Afghanistan and India in New Chandigarh, India, Saturday, June 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashwini Bhatia)

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Aaron Donald is still determining whether he is ready and able to return to the Los Angeles Rams, but coach Sean McVay says the team will welcome the superstar defensive lineman if he decides to end his two-season retirement.

While the Rams reported to training camp at Loyola Marymount University on Saturday, McVay said he has no idea whether one of the greatest defensive linemen in recent NFL history will decide to resume his career.

“If that is something that he wants to do, we’re going to try to be able to make that happen,” McVay said. “But I genuinely do not have an answer on whether he is or he isn’t. I know he’s preparing himself to be able to make that decision, and I know if he feels good, he’s going to be ready to rock. If not, he doesn’t owe us anything.”

McVay said Puka Nacua is expected to practice in training camp while the Rams work on the next contract for their All-Pro receiver, who is entering the final year of his rookie deal. The coach said NFL MVP Matthew Stafford is fully healthy, but still will sit out multiple practices in training camp as part of a modified preparation schedule to keep the 38-year-old quarterback fresh for the long season ahead.

The Rams also confirmed first-round pick Ty Simpson had formally signed his four-year, $25.4 million rookie contract as he begins a training camp competition with Stetson Bennett for the backup job behind Stafford.

But McVay was eager to talk about a player who wasn't reporting to the Loyola Marymount dorms — Donald, who anchored the Rams' defense for a decade before he retired somewhat abruptly in March 2024.

Donald apparently began to entertain the idea of a comeback early last month after the Rams acquired superstar pass rusher Myles Garrett in a trade with Cleveland. The prospect of lining up next to one of his few contemporary peers compelled the now-35-year-old Donald to begin an extensive workout program aimed at returning him to football shape.

“He is going through his process, and he is putting himself in a position to make a decision,” McVay said. “He's earned the right to be able to do that. ... He's very diligent. Anything that he does, he does all-in, and so he's going through a very strict regimen and process that's similar to what he did when he played. See how his body responds and feels, and then we'll see when we have more information whether or not we're going to give it a go, or whether or not he's going to continue to enjoy what he's been doing for the last couple of years.”

Donald hung it up nearly 2 1/2 years ago after a very successful decade spent entirely with the Rams in St. Louis and Los Angeles. He racked up a team-record 111 sacks as the heart of the Rams' defense, winning the AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year three times while earning eight All-Pro selections and 10 Pro Bowl selections.

Donald led the Rams to a championship in the 2021-22 season, making the decisive defensive plays in both the NFC title game and the Super Bowl victory over Cincinnati in their home SoFi Stadium.

Donald has stayed close to the game and the Rams during his two years of retirement, living mostly in Los Angeles while regularly returning to his native Pittsburgh. The current Rams are eager to see whether they're about to add another star.

“I mean, him being the greatest of all time, I'm sure he'd have a pretty good impact, right?” defensive lineman Braden Fiske said. "It's only been two years, but if you've seen the (workout) videos, it doesn't seem like he's lost too much of where he's at. ... If that's what he chooses to do, I'm sure we'll be waiting for him. We're just letting him handle his process. That's totally on him. I don't want to be the pushy one. If it happens, great. If not, you know, we'll play some good football."

Fiske is among the linemen whose snap counts could be affected if Donald returns, but the Rams appear to be wholeheartedly excited about the prospect of adding Donald to a roster already considered to be among the Super Bowl favorites.

When asked if Donald's comeback decision might not be made until midseason, McVay reiterated that the Rams will support whatever Donald wants to do.

“I think if AD makes the decision to come back, he's going to want to play the whole year, just knowing how he is and the mindset that he has,” said left guard Steve Avila, who played with Donald as a rookie in 2023. “I don't think he'd be halfway in, halfway out with being part of the team, and that's just what you expect from someone as great as him.”

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/NFL

FILE - Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay watches his players during the NFL football team's practice, June 2, 2026, in Woodland Hills, Calif. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong, File)

FILE - Former Los Angeles Rams player Aaron Donald looks on before an NFL football game between the Los Angeles Rams and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Nov. 23, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File)