India announced a new-look squad for their one-off Test against Afghanistan in June 2026 and the three-match ODI series following it, with plenty of changes across both formats. Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja who have been the star performers have been rested for the Test, with KL Rahul covering vice-captaincy under skipper Shubman Gill
India’s only red-ball match since their 2-0 home series loss to South Africa last November will be the Test from June 6-10 in New Chandigarh. Bumrah and Jadeja will be leaving along with Axar Patel and Akash Deep as well. Selectors have, in their place, rewarded domestic performers Manav Suthar, Gurnoor Brar and Harsh Dubey with maiden Test calls.
With the cricket redrew, chief selector Ajit Agarkar said Rahul’s selection of vice captaincy has to do with his experience and effective series on previous overseas tours. Agarkar said Pant stills figures among India’s most-significant Test batters but Rahul comes in as a replacement for Rishabh Pant.
There are a few changes to the ODI side for the following three-match series as well. Returning: Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya Dropped: Harsh Dubey, Prince Yadav and Gurnoor Brar-maker alongside restrictions and Covid-19 limits. Out: Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel, Ayush Badoni, Harshit Rana and Mohammed Siraj also the dropped names.
Rohit Sharma & Hardik Pandya were chosen on fitness grounds as they had niggles in IPL 2026. Both players are making good progress and should recover in time for the one-day series, which begins June 13, Agarkar said.
One of the new entrants Harsh Dubey has generated fair amounts of curiosity after his performances for Vidarbha. The 23-year-old all-rounder was instrumental in their first-ever Vijay Hazare Trophy win, and he also won the Lala Amarnath Award for best all-rounder of the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy season.
India and Afghanistan have played just one Test previously, when India won in Bengaluru by an innings and 262 runs in 2018. India will have an opportunity to experiment with new players in the upcoming series, while also gearing up for international fixtures leading into 2027 ODI World Cup.
Team India Test Squad vs Afghanistan
Shubman Gill (c), KL Rahul (vc), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sai Sudharsan, Rishabh Pant, Devdutt Padikkal, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Prasidh Krishna, Manav Suthar, Mohammed Siraj, Gurnoor Brar, Harsh Dubey, Dhruv Jurel
Team India ODI Squad vs Afghanistan
Shubman Gill (c), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer (vc), KL Rahul, Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Prince Yadav, Gurnoor Brar, Harsh Dubey
