The Indian men’s cricket team is set to kick off its 2026 red-ball campaign with a one-off Test match against Afghanistan.
The BCCI selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, will convene on May 19 to finalise the squad for this Test, alongside a three-match ODI series.
Although the one-off Test falls outside the current 2025–27 World Test Championship (WTC) cycle, selectors are poised to name a strong batting line-up.
With the T20 World Cup in the rear-view mirror, India’s strategic focus is shifting towards the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.
While a relatively stable ODI squad is anticipated – mirroring India’s recent limited-overs setups – a change is expected behind the stumps.
The Indian men’s cricket team is set to kick off its 2026 red-ball campaign with a one-off Test match against Afghanistan. Scheduled from June 6 to 10, the fixture will be hosted at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur, New Chandigarh. The BCCI selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, will convene on May 19 to finalise the squad for this Test, alongside a three-match ODI series.
Although the one-off Test falls outside the current 2025–27 World Test Championship (WTC) cycle, selectors are poised to name a strong batting line-up. However, the bowling attack remains the primary subject of deliberation.
With premier fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah likely to be rested, and Mohammed Siraj potentially preserved for the ODIs, the pace department is due for a temporary makeover. Prasidh Krishna is the frontrunner to lead the fast-bowling unit if selectors decide to rest Bumrah and Siraj, while all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy is also in line for a spot in the Test squad.
Injuries to Harshit Rana and Akash Deep have further opened the door for uncapped talent. The selection committee is closely monitoring two promising seamers: Gurnoor Brar, the 25-year-old standout from Punjab, and Auqib Nabi, the Jammu & Kashmir pacer who recently dominated the 2025–26 domestic red-ball circuit, finishing as the highest wicket-taker with a massive 60-wicket haul in a Ranji Trophy-winning campaign.
Additionally, veteran pacer Mohammed Shami could make a highly anticipated return. Absent from Test cricket since the June 2023 WTC Final, Shami has emphatically proven his fitness through stellar performances for Bengal and the Lucknow Super Giants in IPL 2026.
In the spin department, stalwarts Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav are expected to retain their spots, despite relatively quiet IPL campaigns for the Rajasthan Royals and Delhi Capitals respectively. Washington Sundar will continue to be a crucial part of the Test setup.
With the T20 World Cup in the rear-view mirror, India’s strategic focus is shifting towards the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia. The white-ball leg against Afghanistan will offer valuable insights into the management’s long-term blueprint.
While a relatively stable ODI squad is anticipated – mirroring India’s recent limited-overs setups – a change is expected behind the stumps. Sanju Samson is strongly favoured to secure a spot in the ODI squad, with Rishabh Pant, who has been a backup to KL Rahul, likely to make way as the team-building process continues.
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