Indian cricket fans may soon see a strong national team in action after IPL 2026. The Board of Control for Cricket in India plans to field a full-strength squad for the upcoming Test match against Afghanistan.
The match will take place shortly after the IPL season and will give India another opportunity to strengthen its red-ball preparations.
India to Play Full-Strength Team Against Afghanistan
Board of Control for Cricket in India is planning to send a first-choice squad for the Test against Afghanistan national cricket team.
The match will begin on June 6 in New Chandigarh. The team will be led by Shubman Gill.
Although the Test is not part of the ICC World Test Championship 2025–27 cycle, the board still wants India to play with its strongest available lineup.
According to team plans, senior players such as Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj are expected to be part of the squad.
Selectors believe that Test cricket should remain a priority, even when the match does not count toward the WTC standings.
Afghanistan Tour of India Schedule
Afghanistan will play one Test match followed by three One Day Internationals during their tour of India.
Afghanistan Tour 2026 Schedule
| Day | Date | Time (IST) | Match | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday | 6 June 2026 | 9:30 AM | Test | New Chandigarh |
| Sunday | 14 June 2026 | 1:30 PM | 1st ODI | Dharamshala |
| Wednesday | 17 June 2026 | 1:30 PM | 2nd ODI | Lucknow |
| Saturday | 20 June 2026 | 1:30 PM | 3rd ODI | Chennai |
The series will start with the Test match before moving into the ODI format.
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Selectors Focus on First-Choice Bowlers
The selection committee has made it clear that the India Test cap will not be used for experimentation in this match.
The current priority bowlers for the Test squad include:
| Bowler | Role |
|---|---|
| Jasprit Bumrah | Fast bowler |
| Mohammed Siraj | Fast bowler |
| Prasidh Krishna | Fast bowler |
Selectors believe these bowlers form the core of India’s pace attack for upcoming red-ball matches.
Questions Around India’s Test Form
India’s recent Test performances have raised some questions. Under head coach Gautam Gambhir, the team has gone through a period of transition.
The side has seen several retirements and changes, which have affected consistency in Test cricket.
India experienced some difficult results recently, including a home series loss to New Zealand national cricket team and defeats during the Border‑Gavaskar Trophy.
The team also had mixed results in other series, showing that rebuilding is still underway.
Gautam Gambhir’s Record as Test Coach
India’s Test results under Gambhir show a challenging phase for the team.
Gambhir’s Test Coaching Record
| Matches | Won | Lost | Draw | Win % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19 | 7 | 10 | 2 | 36.84 |
This record highlights the ups and downs India have faced during the current Test cycle.
India’s Position in the Current WTC Cycle
India have played nine Test matches in the current cycle so far.
India WTC Cycle Snapshot
| Matches Played | Wins | Position | Points Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | 4 | 6th | 48.15 |
The team still has several important Test matches left before the cycle ends.
Upcoming fixtures include an away series in Sri Lanka and a tour of New Zealand later in the year. There is also a possible home series against Australia national cricket team in early 2027.
The upcoming Test against Afghanistan will help India maintain focus on red-ball cricket after the IPL season.
By playing a strong squad, the selectors want to build stability and confidence within the team before more important Test series in the coming years.
The match will also allow players to prepare for challenging overseas conditions later in the Test cycle.
