The Indian cricket team will be seen again in whites after a long gap of seven months as they take on Afghanistan in a one-off Test (IND vs AFG) at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur. Both teams are set to play red-ball cricket, and it will be only the second Test match between the two nations after eight years.

Afghanistan made their Test debut against India in Bengaluru in 2018. Hashmatullah Shahidi will be leading the Afghanistan squad, while young captain Shubman Gill will take charge of the Indian team.

Although this match is not part of the World Test Championship (WTC), it remains an important fixture for India. Head coach Gautam Gambhir and the selectors have included several young players in the squad as they look to build combinations for the upcoming Test season. The match will begin on June 6 at 9:30 AM IST.

India Probable Playing XI

Senior players like Axar Patel and Ravindra Jadeja are not part of the squad. Washington Sundar is expected to lead the all-rounders. There is also a strong possibility that all-rounder Shubham Sharma, who performed exceptionally well in the Ranji Trophy, could make his debut.

Tall pacer Gurnoor Brar is also expected to make his debut against Afghanistan. It also appears that Dhruv Jurel could be entrusted with wicketkeeping duties.

• Yashasvi Jaiswal (Left-handed Batter)
• KL Rahul (Right-handed Batter)
• Shubman Gill (Right-handed Batter)
• Devdutt Padikkal (Left-handed Batter)
• Rishabh Pant (Left-handed Wicketkeeper-Batter)
• Dhruv Jurel (Right-handed Batter)
• Nitish Kumar Reddy (Right-handed Batter, Right-arm Medium-Fast Bowler)
• Washington Sundar (Left-handed Batter, Right-arm Off-Spin Bowler)
• Kuldeep Yadav (Left-handed Batter, Left-arm Wrist-Spin Bowler)
• Mohammed Siraj (Right-handed Batter, Right-arm Fast Bowler)
• Gurnoor Brar (Left-handed Batter, Right-arm Fast Bowler)

Key Players to Watch from India

Yashasvi Jaiswal will be one of the key players to watch. The young opener has already established himself across formats, but his performances in red-ball cricket have been particularly impressive. He combines aggression with solid technique, and it will be interesting to see how he performs on the Mullanpur surface.

Mohammed Siraj is another player to watch. He is expected to return to the playing XI and could be highly effective on the bouncy Mullanpur pitch. Siraj was one of India’s key performers during the England series last year, including a memorable five-wicket haul at The Oval. He has also been consistent whenever he has worn the white jersey. With Jasprit Bumrah rested for the series, Siraj will have a major responsibility and big shoes to fill.

Afghanistan Probable Playing XI

Afghanistan enters the match with experienced players such as Hashmatullah Shahidi and Rahmat Shah, who have been the backbone of their red-ball side over the years.

The squad also includes mystery spin options who could trouble the Indian batting line-up. Qais Ahmad and Nangeyalia Kharote are expected to play important roles for Afghanistan. The biggest setback for Afghanistan is the absence of star spinner Rashid Khan. He has been rested and is expected to return for the ODI series.

• Rahmanullah Gurbaz (Right-handed Batter)

• Abdul Malik (Right-handed Batter)

• Sediqullah Atal (Left-handed Batter)

• Rahmat Shah (Right-handed Batter)

• Hashmatullah Shahidi (Left-handed Batter)

• Afsar Zazai (Right-handed Wicketkeeper-Batter)

• Azmatullah Omarzai (Right-handed Batter, Right-arm Medium-Fast Bowler)

• Sharafuddin Ashraf (Right-handed Batter, Left-arm Orthodox Spinner)

• Nangyal Kharoti (Left-handed Batter, Left-arm Orthodox Spinner)

• Qais Ahmad (Right-handed Batter, Right-arm Leg-Spin Bowler)

• Zia Sharifi (Right-arm Medium-Fast Bowler)

Key Players to Watch from Afghanistan

Rahmanullah Gurbaz is one of the players who can surprise any opposition. He has plenty of international experience and understands Indian conditions well. Although Test cricket remains a relatively new challenge for him, he has shown the ability to adapt quickly and can be dangerous if he gets going.

Captain Hashmatullah Shahidi remains one of Afghanistan’s biggest strengths. He has played almost every Test match for Afghanistan and has consistently been one of their most reliable performers. His experience and understanding of red-ball cricket make him a key player for the visitors.

Zia-ur-Rehman is another player to watch. The right-arm medium-fast bowler has played only one Test match so far, but he impressed by taking seven wickets in an innings. His ability to bowl different variations could make him a major threat in this match.

Dream11 Fantasy Tips

Top Batters for Dream11

Shubman Gill has been in excellent form in recent months. The Indian captain has scored heavily in red-ball cricket and remains one of the most reliable batting options for fantasy teams. Yashasvi Jaiswal is another batter to keep an eye on, as he has the ability to convert starts into big scores and play long innings.

From Afghanistan, Rahmat Shah remains one of the key players. He has been the backbone of Afghanistan’s Test batting line-up over the years and is capable of scoring crucial runs against quality bowling attacks.

Best All-Rounders for Dream11

Without a doubt, Washington Sundar is one of the best all-rounder options available for this match. He is a proper red-ball cricketer who can contribute with both bat and ball. His off-spin could become even more effective as the pitch starts assisting spinners later in the game.

Azmatullah Omarzai is another player worth considering. The Afghan all-rounder has experience of playing in different conditions around the world and can contribute in multiple departments. Although he has limited Test experience, he has the talent to make an impact.

Bowlers Picks for Dream11

Kuldeep Yadav is a proven match-winner and has the ability to take wickets in pressure situations. Mohammed Siraj is another player who could play a major role with the new ball. Zia-ur-Rehman is also a player to watch. After his impressive seven-wicket performance in his debut Test, he could once again trouble opposition batters.

Captain and Vice-Captain Picks

Captain:Yashasvi Jaiswal/ Mohammed Siraj

Vice-Captain: Hashmatullah Shahidi/ Rehmat Shah

Pitch Report and Venue Conditions

This will be the first international Test match played at the Mullanpur venue. The ground has previously hosted several Ranji Trophy and domestic red-ball matches.

The pitch contains a mix of red and black soil and is expected to provide assistance to fast bowlers during the early stages of the match. As the game progresses into the third and fourth days, cracks are likely to develop, bringing spinners into play.

In red-ball cricket, the average first-innings score at the venue has been around 280-310 runs, while second-innings scores have generally ranged between 250-270 runs. The pitch tends to become slower as the match progresses, with third and fourth innings scores often falling in the 160-190 range.

Weather Conditions

Temperatures are expected to remain between 32°C and 35°C during the match. Day 1 is likely to be cloudy, with chances of rain and thunderstorms. Rain could also return on the third day. If significant rainfall occurs, the pitch may not crack as much as expected, which could reduce the assistance available for spinners.

Humidity levels are expected to remain high throughout the match and could make conditions physically demanding for the players.

Head-to-Head Record: India vs Afghanistan

Back in 2018, when Afghanistan made its Test debut, India was the first team they faced in the format. It was a one-sided contest, with India winning by an innings in Bengaluru. That remains the only Test match played between the two nations. Therefore, Afghanistan is still searching for its first Test victory against India.

Looking at recent form, India has won three of its last five Test matches and lost two. Afghanistan, meanwhile, has struggled for consistency in the format, managing only one win in its recent Test outings.

Match Prediction: Who Has the Upper Hand?

Considering the quality of players, experience, home conditions, and overall squad strength, India enters the match as the clear favourite. India possesses a strong batting line-up, experienced first-class cricketers, and quality spin options. Playing in familiar home conditions further strengthens their position.

However, one factor working in Afghanistan’s favour could be player freshness. Many Indian players are coming directly from a long IPL season, while Afghanistan has had more time to prepare for the Test match.

If Afghanistan can take advantage of any fatigue in the Indian camp and execute their plans effectively, they could make the contest competitive. Nevertheless, India appears to have a significant advantage heading into the match.

FAQs About India vs Afghanistan

What is the expected playing XI for India?

Prasidh Krishna could be rested for workload management, while Dhruv Jurel is expected to keep wickets. There is also uncertainty regarding Manav Suthar’s debut, with Kuldeep Yadav already available as a specialist spinner.

Who is injured or unavailable for India vs Afghanistan?

Two of the biggest stars missing from the match are Jasprit Bumrah and Rashid Khan. Both players have had heavy workloads in recent months and have been rested for the one-off Test.

Who won the last match between India and Afghanistan?

The last and only Test match between India and Afghanistan was played in 2018. India won the match by an innings.

Where to Watch India vs Afghanistan One-off Test?

The one-off Test between India and Afghanistan will be broadcast live on the Star Sports Network. Live streaming will be available on the JioHotstar app and website.