Openers Shikhar Dhawan and Murali Vijay hit centuries before debutants Afghanistan fought back with a few late wickets on the rain-hit opening day of the historic one-off Test match, in Bengaluru, on Thursday.

India survived a tense final session to finish the day on 347 for six in 78 overs, losing five wickets in the post-tea session.

Dhawan gave India a quickfire start as he smashed 107 from 96 balls, hitting 19 fours and three sixes, and in process also became the first Indian to score a century before lunch on Day 1 of a Test match.

The left-hander put on 168 runs for the opening wicket from 175 balls with Vijay, who blossomed after a slow start to stroke a brilliant 105.

Vijay then put on 112 from 139 balls with KL Rahul, who hit a fluent 54 before Afghanistan struck with regular wickets in the final session.