Gautam Gambhir shares heartwarming hug with AFG Star Gurbaz — The KKR reunion moment from IND vs AFG test that's going viral

India dominated Afghanistan in the one-off Test at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur, securing a historic innings and 300-run victory. After posting a massive first-innings total, India bowled Afghanistan out for 152 and then 112 in the follow-on. Washington Sundar and Kuldeep Yadav starred in the second innings with seven wickets between them, while debutant Manav Suthar and Mohammed Siraj chipped in with a wicket each. Afghanistan's Sharafuddin Ashraf did not bat due to injury, as India completed their biggest-ever innings win in Test cricket.

While Manav Suthar's stunning debut performance grabbed most of the headlines, another moment from the match also caught the attention of fans on social media. A heartwarming interaction between India head coach Gautam Gambhir and Afghanistan wicketkeeper-batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz quickly went viral after the match.

Gambhir and Gurbaz share a strong bond from their time together at Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL. The former KKR mentor was seen sharing a warm moment with the Afghan star, reminding fans of the close relationships that cricket creates beyond international rivalries. The video has since been widely shared online, winning the hearts of cricket fans across both nations.

Watch the viral video here.

The hug that stopped play — What happened on the field during IND vs AFG Test

The heartwarming moment took place on Day 3 of the one-off Test between India and Afghanistan in New Chandigarh. After Afghanistan were bowled out for just 112 in their follow-on innings, the match came to an end with India securing a historic innings-and-300-run victory. As players from both teams gathered for the customary post-match handshakes, an emotional moment unfolded off the field.

Afghanistan wicketkeeper-batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz walked out from the dressing room to join his teammates for the handshake ceremony. At the same time, India's head coach Gautam Gambhir was seen making his way towards the ground. The two spotted each other and immediately shared a warm hug before stopping for a brief conversation.

See also -Watch: Old video of Rahmanullah Gurbaz resurfaces after heroic performance in SA vs AFG T20 WC 2026 match

Gambhir and Gurbaz share a close bond from their time together at Kolkata Knight Riders. Gurbaz was an important member of the KKR squad that won the IPL 2024 title, while Gambhir played a key role in the franchise's success as mentor. Their reunion in Mullanpur reflected that strong connection, and the video quickly went viral on social media, winning the hearts of cricket fans around the world.

Gambhir and Gurbaz's KKR bond — A friendship built in Kolkata

Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Gautam Gambhir share a strong connection through their time at Kolkata Knight Riders. The Afghanistan wicketkeeper played 19 matches for KKR across three IPL seasons and was a member of the franchise's title-winning squad in IPL 2024. Under Gambhir's mentorship, Gurbaz became an important part of the team and contributed 363 runs at a strike rate of 134.94 during his time with the franchise.

Their bond was on full display after the IND vs AFG Test in New Chandigarh. As the players gathered for the post-match handshakes, Gurbaz and Gambhir shared a warm hug and spent a few moments talking. The reunion quickly caught the attention of fans, who were delighted to see the mutual respect between the former KKR teammates.

See also -Watch: Mohammed Siraj vs Rahmat Shah: What sparked the ugly row in IND vs AFG Test?

The video soon went viral on social media, with many fans posting the phrase, "Once a Knight, Always a Knight." While India dominated Afghanistan on the field with a historic victory, the Gambhir-Gurbaz moment became one of the most memorable off-field highlights of the match. It was a reminder that the friendships built in franchise cricket often last well beyond team colours and international rivalries.

Mentor meets student: How Gambhir helped shape Gurbaz into Afghanistan's star wicketkeeper-batter

Rahmanullah Gurbaz did not become Afghanistan's star wicketkeeper by accident. Much of his early development happened inside the KKR dressing room, where Gautam Gambhir was known for pushing young players hard and teaching them how to think like champions. Gurbaz watched, learned, and absorbed everything around him during his IPL days.

The numbers tell the story clearly. In T20Is, Gurbaz has scored 2,280 runs in 87 matches at a strike rate of 135.55, including 1 century and 13 fifties. In ODIs, he averages 37.01 with 8 hundreds in 52 games — remarkable numbers for a wicketkeeper-batter. Even in Tests, where he is still finding his feet with 133 runs in 3 matches, the talent is obvious.

Gambhir may be India's head coach today, but his influence on Gurbaz never left the field. That hug during the IND vs AFG Test was not just two cricketers greeting each other — it was a mentor proud of how far his student has come. Gurbaz's rise from IPL youngster to Afghanistan's most dangerous batter is proof that the right guidance at the right time changes careers forever.