India vs Afghanistan Test: Preview, Schedule, H2H Record, Squads – All You Need To Know

Following a short break, India is set to resume Test cricket with a one‑off match against Afghanistan, slated for June 6‑10, 2026 at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh.

This will be only the second Test meeting between India and Afghanistan, and Afghanistan’s inaugural Test on Indian soil since their 2018 debut. Led by new captain Shubman Gill, India intends to dominate at home and develop a new cohort of red‑ball players.

India’s batting order appears strong, boasting aggressive openers, reliable middle‑order contributors, and a balanced attack that combines pace and spin. Afghanistan will strive to avoid a heavy loss. The encounter also provides valuable preparation for India’s upcoming tours and offers Afghanistan a chance to assess its progress in Test cricket.

IND vs AFG Schedule and Venue Details

The match is scheduled to start at 9:30 AM IST. Play will take place at the Mullanpur venue in New Chandigarh, which is hosting its first Test match. The pitch is expected to provide early seam movement before turning for spinners later in the game. Forecasts indicate predominantly clear weather with a low probability of rain interruptions.

India vs Afghanistan Team News

Bumrah and Jadeja have been rested to manage workload. Gill captains a youthful squad, with KL Rahul appointed vice‑captain. Gurnoor Brar is poised for his debut, while Siraj’s participation remains uncertain. Afghanistan aims to deliver a strong performance against a formidable Indian side, with Rashid Khan expected to play a pivotal role and Mohammad Nabi contributing all‑round.

IND vs AFG H2H Record

The sole prior Test between the teams took place in Bengaluru in June 2018, where India won by an innings and 262 runs within two days. India are clear favorites for this encounter. Afghanistan have limited Test experience and lack depth in the format, depending largely on key players such as Rashid Khan and Rahmanullah Gurbaz.

India Squad

Shubman Gill (c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul (vc), Sai Sudharsan, Rishabh Pant (wk), Devdutt Padikkal, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Manav Suthar, Gurnoor Brar, Harsh Dubey, Dhruv Jurel (wk).

Afghanistan Squad

Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Nasir Jamal, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ikram Alikhil (wk), Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad, Yamin Ahmadzai, Nijat Masood, Qais Ahmad, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Bilal Sami

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