India’s Test transition meets Afghanistan challenge

Barely a week after the IPL season ended, India switch formats for a one-off Test against Afghanistan starting June 6. The abrupt turnaround from three months of white-ball cricket demands a shift to the longer format, with bigger WTC assignments ahead.

This fixture carries no WTC points, but marks the start of a stretch through Sri Lanka, New Zealand and a home Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Head coach Gautam Gambhir has stressed that every Test holds equal value, especially for a side in transition. With a younger dressing room, Afghanistan offer the first chance to reinforce standards.

Transition defines this Indian Test side. Senior departures have left a group still gaining experience. The management favours patience over constant churn, with players given extended runs. That philosophy is likely to see Sai Sudharsan at No. 3 over Devdutt Padikkal.

For India, the larger picture is about the journey and growth of a transitional team. The IPL showcased white-ball depth, but the weeks ahead are about patience, resilience and shaping a team that can contend for the WTC.

Afghanistan arrive with little to lose and enough talent to test India. This Test begins Richard Pybus’ tenure as head coach. Afghanistan have played only a handful of Tests since gaining Full Member status. Pybus believes consistent fixtures are key to building a sustainable red-ball culture.

When: June 6 to 10, 9:30 AM IST

Where: Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur, New Chandigarh

What to expect: The venue hosts its first Test. The pitch looked green a day before but is expected to dry out and assist spinners. Temperatures in the late 30s to early 40s will challenge players.

Sai Sudharsan is set to continue at No. 3 for India. The third spinner’s spot is between Manav Suthar and Harsh Dubey, with Kuldeep Yadav and Washington Sundar as lead spinners.

Probable XI: KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill (c), Rishabh Pant (wk), Washington Sundar, Nitish Reddy, Harsh Dubey / Manav Suthar, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna

Afghanistan: This is their first Test since October 2025 against Zimbabwe. Sediqullah Atal and Azmatullah Omarzai return, along with veteran Rahmat Shah. Rashid Khan is absent, but the spin department includes Qais Ahmad, Sharafuddin Ashraf and Nangeyalia Kharote.

Probable XI: Abdul Malik, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Sediqullah Atal, Afsar Zazai (wk), Azmatullah Omarzai, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Qais Ahmad, Zia Sharifi, Nangeyalia Kharotai

• Afghanistan made their Test debut against India in June 2018 and have played 11 Tests since, with four wins, seven losses and one draw

• KL Rahul is the only player from that 2018 Indian side in the current setup; Afghanistan have two from that group – Hashmatullah Shahidi and Rahmat Shah

Gautam Gambhir on quick turnarounds: “We have 15 days between England and Sri Lanka, enough time to prepare for those two Tests. But between the last ODI and first Test against New Zealand, there are only three days. We need to start preparing better in red-ball cricket, something that was lacking against West Indies and South Africa.”

Richard Pybus on limited Test cricket for Afghanistan: “The onus is with the ICC. Full membership needs a full fixture list. Development can’t just be based on World Cup exposure. Credit to the BCCI for giving us plenty of cricket this year. I’d like other senior full members to build out the list.”