The visitors are scheduled to play a one-off Test and a three-match ODI series during the tour. The second-ever Test match between India and Afghanistan will be played at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur, New Chandigarh, from June 6 to 10. The BCCI’s senior men’s selection committee announced India’s squad for the match on May 19 and made several notable changes.
A couple of senior spin-bowling all-rounders have been dropped from the squad, while three players have earned their maiden Test call-ups.
Here’s a look at the complete list of changes in India’s Test squad for Afghanistan series from last series played against South Africa:
Who’s out?
World No. 1 Test all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel have been left out of the squad for the one-off Test. Meanwhile, world No. 1 Test bowler Jasprit Bumrah has been rested for the entire series. All three were part of India’s squad for the last Test series against South Africa in November 2025.
Fast bowler Akash Deep, who was also included in that squad, was unavailable for selection due to an injury sustained ahead of the IPL 2026 season.
- OUT: Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Akash Deep
Who’s in?
Fast bowler Prasidh Krishna, who featured for India in the 2025 Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, has returned to the squad. He is expected to partner Mohammed Siraj with the new ball in Bumrah’s absence.
The selectors have also handed maiden Test call-ups to three players. Rajasthan spinner Manav Suthar and Vidarbha spin-bowling all-rounder Harsh Dubey have been included as replacements for Jadeja and Axar, while Punjab fast bowler Gurnoor Brar has earned his first India Test call-up in place of the injured Akash Deep.
There had also been discussions around the inclusion of Jammu and Kashmir pacer Auqib Nabi Dar following his impressive performances in the last two editions of the Ranji Trophy. However, he was not considered for selection.
- IN: Prasidh Krishna, Manav Suthar, Gurnoor Brar, Harsh Dubey
Leadership change
As many as 10 players who were part of India’s Test squad against South Africa have retained their places for the Afghanistan Test. However, there has been a change in the leadership group. KL Rahul has been appointed vice-captain for the one-off Test, replacing Rishabh Pant as Shubman Gill’s deputy.
Pant had served as vice-captain during the Freedom Series 2025 and also led the Indian team in the second Test after Gill was ruled out due to a neck injury.
- RETAINED: Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Rishabh Pant, Dhruv Jurel, Devdutt Padikkal, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj,
India’s squad for only Test against Afghanistan
Shubman Gill (C), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul (VC), Sai Sudharsan, Rishabh Pant (WK), Dhruv Jurel (WK), Devdutt Padikkal, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Manav Suthar, Gurnoor Brar, Harsh Dubey
India’s squad for Test series against South Africa in 2025
Shubman Gill (C), Rishabh Pant (VC & WK), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Devdutt Padikkal, Dhruv Jurel, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah, Axar Patel, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, Akash Deep
India’s best XI of only Test against Afghanistan: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul (VC), Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill (C), Rishabh Pant, Washington Sundar, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Harsh Dubey, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna
