The BCCI Men Selection Committee has officially announced the Indian squads for the upcoming bilateral home series against Afghanistan, featuring one Test match and a three match ODI series scheduled between June 6 and June 20, 2026. The series will mark an important transition phase for Team India as several young domestic performers have earned maiden national call ups alongside the return of experienced senior players in the ODI format. Shubman Gill has been appointed captain for both the Test and ODI squads, while key senior stars Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja have been rested to manage workloads. The India vs Afghanistan 2026 series will also feature multiple venue highlights, including the first ever international Test match at the newly built stadium in New Chandigarh.
Shubman Gill to Lead India in Both Formats
The selectors have handed leadership responsibilities to Shubman Gill for both the Test and ODI squads, continuing the BCCI long term leadership transition plans. For the Test side, KL Rahul has been appointed vice captain, replacing Rishabh Pant in the leadership structure. Meanwhile, Shreyas Iyer has been named ODI vice captain for the 50 over series. The selection committee has also introduced several fresh domestic performers into the national setup, indicating a clear focus on squad depth and future planning.
Senior Players Rested for Workload Management
According to the squad announcement, Jasprit Bumrah has been rested and Ravindra Jadeja has also been rested. The decision reportedly comes as part of workload management ahead of a busy international calendar. At the same time, the ODI squad sees the return of experienced stars including Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Hardik Pandya, and Ishan Kishan. However, the inclusion of Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya remains subject to final fitness clearance from the BCCI medical team.
India Test Squad for Afghanistan Series 2026
India 15 member Test squad includes a mix of established names and emerging domestic talent.
| Player | Role |
|---|---|
| Shubman Gill (Captain) | Batter |
| KL Rahul (Vice Captain) | Wicketkeeper Batter |
| Yashasvi Jaiswal | Batter |
| Sai Sudharsan | Batter |
| Rishabh Pant | Wicketkeeper Batter |
| Devdutt Padikkal | Batter |
| Nitish Kumar Reddy | All Rounder |
| Washington Sundar | All Rounder |
| Kuldeep Yadav | Bowler |
| Mohammed Siraj | Bowler |
| Prasidh Krishna | Bowler |
| Manav Suthar | Left Arm Spin All Rounder |
| Gurnoor Brar | Fast Bowler |
| Harsh Dubey | Left Arm Spin All Rounder |
| Dhruv Jurel | Wicketkeeper Batter |
Young Domestic Players Earn Maiden Test Call Ups
Several uncapped or emerging players have earned major opportunities in the Test squad.
- Manav Suthar: The left arm spin bowling all rounder has been rewarded after strong domestic performances and could add depth to India spin department
- Gurnoor Brar: The fast bowler receives his maiden senior national call up as India continues testing young pace options
- Harsh Dubey: Another left arm spin bowling all rounder, his inclusion signals India growing investment in versatile multi dimensional players
KL Rahul Appointed Test Vice Captain
KL Rahul appointment as vice captain is one of the major talking points from the Test squad announcement. The experienced wicketkeeper batter replaces Rishabh Pant in the leadership setup and is expected to play a key role in guiding the younger players during the series.
India ODI Squad for Afghanistan Series 2026
The ODI squad sees the return of several senior stars while maintaining a strong mix of youth and experience.
| Player | Role |
|---|---|
| Shubman Gill (Captain) | Batter |
| Shreyas Iyer (Vice Captain) | Batter |
| Rohit Sharma | Batter |
| Virat Kohli | Batter |
| KL Rahul | Wicketkeeper Batter |
| Ishan Kishan | Wicketkeeper Batter |
| Hardik Pandya | All Rounder |
| Nitish Kumar Reddy | All Rounder |
| Washington Sundar | All Rounder |
| Kuldeep Yadav | Bowler |
| Arshdeep Singh | Bowler |
| Prasidh Krishna | Bowler |
| Prince Yadav | Fast Bowler |
| Gurnoor Brar | Fast Bowler |
| Harsh Dubey | Left Arm Spin All Rounder |
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli Return in ODI Format
One of the biggest highlights of the ODI squad is the return of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Their inclusion adds experience at the top order, stability in pressure situations, and leadership support for younger players. The series could also help India strengthen combinations ahead of future ICC tournaments.
Shreyas Iyer Named ODI Vice Captain
Shreyas Iyer has been appointed vice captain for the ODI series. The selection underlines the management trust in Iyer leadership qualities and middle order consistency in white ball cricket.
Ishan Kishan Returns to ODI Setup
Wicketkeeper batter Ishan Kishan also returns to the ODI squad after being out of the national setup for a period. His aggressive batting style provides India with additional top order flexibility and wicketkeeping options.
Prince Yadav Earns Maiden White Ball Call Up
Fast bowler Prince Yadav has received his first white ball national selection. He joins Gurnoor Brar and Harsh Dubey among the emerging players rewarded with opportunities in the ODI setup.
Complete India vs Afghanistan 2026 Schedule
The Afghanistan tour of India 2026 will run from June 6 to June 20, 2026. The series includes one Test match and three ODI matches. The BCCI has also rescheduled the first ODI from its earlier planned date to June 13, 2026.
| Match | Date | Time (IST) | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Only Test Match | June 6 – June 10, 2026 | 9:30 AM | Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Stadium, New Chandigarh |
| 1st ODI (Day/Night) | June 13, 2026 | 1:30 PM | HPCA Stadium, Dharamshala |
| 2nd ODI (Day/Night) | June 17, 2026 | 1:30 PM | Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow |
| 3rd ODI (Day/Night) | June 20, 2026 | 1:30 PM | M.A. Chidambaram Stadium (Chepauk), Chennai |
New Chandigarh Stadium to Host Historic First Test
The newly developed stadium in Mullanpur, New Chandigarh, will host its first ever international Test match during this series. This is considered a major milestone for the venue and further expands India growing list of international cricket stadiums. The match is expected to attract significant attention due to the venue modern infrastructure, India new look Test squad, and Afghanistan improving red ball experience.
Day/Night ODI Matches Scheduled
All three ODI matches in the series are scheduled as Day/Night encounters. ODI match timings have toss time at 1:00 PM IST and match start at 1:30 PM IST. The afternoon schedule allows the matches to continue into prime time television viewing hours in India.
Live Streaming Details for India vs Afghanistan 2026
| Platform | Details |
|---|---|
| Online Streaming (Digital) | JioHotstar app and website |
| Television Broadcast | Star Sports Network channels |
| Free to Air Broadcast | DD Sports (complete ODI series on DD Free Dish) |
Important Talking Points From the Squad Announcement
The squad selections reveal several important strategic themes from the Indian management.
- Focus on Youth Development: The inclusion of players such as Prince Yadav, Gurnoor Brar, Harsh Dubey, and Manav Suthar shows the selectors are prioritizing future talent development
- Leadership Transition Continues: With Shubman Gill captaining both formats and different vice captains appointed across formats, the management appears to be gradually building the next leadership group
- Workload Management for Senior Players: The decision to rest Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja highlights the increasing importance of player fitness management in modern cricket schedules
Why This Series Is Important for Team India
The Afghanistan series gives India an opportunity to test new combinations, evaluate domestic performers, build bench strength, and balance youth with experienced players. It also allows senior ODI players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to return to competitive cricket in home conditions.
Afghanistan Challenge Could Be Competitive
Although India enters the series as favorites, Afghanistan cricket growth over recent years has made them a far more competitive international side. The team improving spin resources and aggressive batting approach could create interesting contests, especially in the ODI format.
Conclusion
The India vs Afghanistan 2026 bilateral series promises to be an important phase in Team India transition journey. With Shubman Gill leading both squads, experienced stars returning in ODIs, and several domestic performers receiving maiden opportunities, the series offers a balanced mix of youth, experience, and experimentation. The historic first Test in New Chandigarh, combined with Day/Night ODI matches across Dharamshala, Lucknow, and Chennai, is expected to generate strong interest among cricket fans across the country. As India continues preparing for future international tournaments and long term squad evolution, this Afghanistan series could play a key role in shaping the next generation of Indian cricket.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Who is the captain of India for the Test and ODI series against Afghanistan?
A1. Shubman Gill has been appointed captain for both the Test and ODI squads for the series against Afghanistan.
Q2. Which senior players have been rested for the Afghanistan series?
A2. Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja have been rested for workload management ahead of a busy international calendar.
Q3. Where will the only Test match of the series be played?
A3. The only Test match will be played at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Stadium in New Chandigarh from June 6 to June 10, 2026.
Q4. When is the first ODI of the series scheduled?
A4. The first ODI is scheduled for June 13, 2026 at 1:30 PM IST at HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala.
Q5. Where can fans watch the India vs Afghanistan 2026 series live?
A5. The series will stream live on JioHotstar app and website, telecast on Star Sports Network channels, and the ODI series will be available on DD Sports for DD Free Dish viewers.