The Indian team (IND) will host Afghanistan (AFG) in a one‑off Test at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh, scheduled to begin on Saturday, 6 June.
Why does Afghanistan not participate in the WTC cycle?
The match will not be included in the World Test Championship because Afghanistan is not a member of the ICC‑organized two‑year event that began in 2019. The ICC traditionally includes only the nine highest‑ranked Test nations in the WTC cycle, and Afghanistan does not feature among those top‑nine teams in the official rankings, rendering them ineligible for the competition.
What is the criteria for a Test to fall under the WTC cycle?
Additionally, the ICC requires that each series within a WTC cycle consist of at least two matches. Since this fixture is a single encounter, it is regarded as a regular bilateral series between India and Afghanistan.
Will the Test match affect a change in India’s WTC standings?
India began its 2025‑27 WTC cycle with a five‑match series against England in the United Kingdom, which ended in a 2‑2 draw. Afterwards, the Shubman Gill‑captained side defeated the West Indies 2‑0 and fell 0‑2 to South Africa in home fixtures. After nine matches, India has recorded four wins, four losses, and one draw.
Because the Afghanistan match falls outside the WTC cycle, India’s standing on the WTC table will remain unchanged. They currently occupy sixth place with a points percentage of 48.15.
What is India’s next series in the WTC cycle?
India’s next red‑ball assignment in the WTC cycle is slated for roughly five months later, featuring a two‑Test away series against New Zealand. Following that, the team will return home to host Australia for the 2027 Border‑Gavaskar Trophy, with the opening match scheduled for 21 January in Nagpur, forming a five‑match series.