Indian Sports Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore made his presence felt at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru before the start of the historic Test match between India and Afghanistan. It marks a momentous occasion for Afghanistan as they became the 12tha nation to play Test cricket. 

Mr. Rathore inaugurated the historic Test in Bengaluru, as well as, greeted the players from the both India and Afghanistan teams ahead of the start of the much-awaited Test match here.

Besides Union Sports Minister, there were some dignitaries present on the historic occasion. The likes of Mr. Abdullah Abdullah, Chief Executive of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, former Indian cricketer Salim Durrani, Afghanistan Cricket Board CEO Shafiq Stanikzai and BCCI Acting Secretary Amitabh Choudhary are also present to celebrate the occassion. 

Noteworthy, Afghanistan has now become the 12th Test playing nation while Asghar Stanikzai has become the first-ever Test captain to lead the side in their maiden Test match in India.

On the other hand, Ajinkya Rahane is leading the Indian Team in absence of Virat Kohli, who is recovering from neck problems, while wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik returns to whites after 8-year.

However, the historic match has already begun at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Thursday and unfortunately, the Test debutants could not make a great start to the traditional format as they managed to pick the only wicket in 29 overs and India are in dominating mood with 175/1.

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