India vs Afghanistan: Emotions at the Chinnaswamy in pictures

This is it, folks. Welcome to Test Cricket, Afghanistan. We have the world's number one ranked team, in their own den, facing the beginners. Let the enormity of the occasion sink in.

Yet, the Afghans seem to have an air about them. They are mostly quiet, way too quiet for a team that is starting out in the big stage after creating many a ripple in several previous stages. "I don't know what nervousness means," echoed the voice of Asghar Stanikzai, their captain, when asked about it.

Perhaps it's because the nation has seen much worse. Perhaps the fear of incendiaries and loss of life transcends the fear of cork and freshly-polished leather. Well, Asghar is not alone, here are ten more of such people, who look to the sport, not out of desperation for glory, but in the conquest of happiness and hope.

India had a couple of really good sessions before lunch, which Shikhar Dhawan blasting his way to a 87-ball-100, often making his SRH-teammate Rashid Khan a victim of his tireless punches. He also became India's first and overall sixth batsman to score a ton in Tests before Lunch on Day one.

As latest news pour in, India is at 170 for the loss of Dhawan(107)'s lone wicket, who departed just after lunch, edging a full-and-outside-off Ahmadzai delivery to Mohammad Nabi, making the young pacer Afghanistan's first-ever wicket-taker in the longest format. Murali Vijay and K.L. Rahul are in the crease right now.

As the game continues at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore, here are a few scenes for you fresh from the venue itself.

#1 Afghan fans throng the stadium

In the full spirit of the game

Hundreds of cricketing fans have come from the famed land of the Pashtuns, to see their beloved players take giant strides with the red ball. It is a distance of more than 2500 kilometres between Afghanistan and the Indian garden city of Bengaluru, but the visitors don't seem to mind.

Their faces and minds are full of joy and pride, as evident from the pictures themselves and from all the cheers that we have heard from the stands. Even kids seem to love the atmosphere, as they would be hoping to emulate their idols some day.

A considerable section of the Afghan crowd is visible in the stands, as the rain stays away, seemingly promising our lovely visitors a good day of play.

#2 Indian super fan in full voice

Indian cricket's greatest representative from the fans

When was the last game played between India and another nation, where the one and only Sudhir Kumar wasn't present, holding his Indian flag, blowing his loud conch that is symbolic of a battle cry, and wearing the Indian Tricolour on his own body, along with the name "Tendulkar" emblazoned across his chest?

The answer would be unfamiliar for any cricket fan who has not watched games prior to nearly twenty years ago, because that's somewhere along the line when Indian cricket's super-fan decided to follow every match played by India, right from the stands.

Sudhir is here today as well, as for a change, it is Afghanistan who are stealing more of the spotlight, playing their first-ever Test match. Nevertheless, he will be a colourful presence in the stadium for the next five days, cheering quite vocally for his beloved Team India.

#3 A moment of pride

Caps being given to the Afghan Team on their debut

Now, we all know when players are given their Test cap in the minutes just prior to the start of the game. Today we saw a very noble occasion where an entire team was handed their Test caps by virtue of them playing their debut game in their own country's first ever Test match. Afghanistan have decided to go with red for their cap colour, the colour they use in limited-over games to complement their predominantly blue jerseys.

A test cricketer can play T20 and ODI cricket, but not necessarily the other way round. This being the ultimate test of a player's cricketing ability and temperament, the occasion is of prime importance for the Afghans - they are officially qualified to meet the requirements of Test cricket.

#4. The national anthems

The most emotional moment

We are not sure if there is anything more exhilarating and emotional at the same time than representing your country in an event and getting to sing your national anthem in front of a million watchful eyes.

Taking yourself to the heart of the ground, watching your flag soar mightily in the high skies, looking down on to your chest to see your team's crest, giving you an idea of all the responsibility and hopes that have been given onto you - the Afghans had a first-hand experience of all those today.

Donning their Test caps for the first time ever, the Afghans stood for their national anthem with a lot of promise and goodwill as the experience of five-day cricket welcomed them with open hands.