In the middle of the IPL 2026, the selection committee-led by Ajit Agarkar must be having a hard time, in discussing various names for the upcoming India vs Afghanistan series, which begins on June 06. The squad for the one-off Test and the ODI series is to be revealed on May 19, and there could be a few surprising calls. “The selection committee will meet on May 19 to pick Indian team for the home series against Afghanistan,” BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia told the Times of India.
With a few days still to go, Insidesport takes a look at the predicted India squad for the Test, which will take place at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh PCA Stadium, Mullanpur.
The unchangeables of squad
Yashasvi Jaiswal: Ever since his inclusion in the Test side in 2023, he has been team’s best batter in many ways. In 28 Tests, he has scored 2511 runs, at an average of 49, and has 7 tons. Had a poor series against SA, where he scored 83 runs in 4 innings.
KL Rahul: Had a wonderful last year, where in 10 Tests, he went on to score 813 runs at an average of 45, including three tons. The last series against SA was a forgettable one for him as well, and could only score 68 runs overall. Otherwise, he remains the first-pick.
Shubman Gill: His Test record has vastly improved ever since he took over the captaincy from Rohit Sharma. In 40 Tests, has scored 2843 runs at an average of 43. Had missed the last series against the Proteas due to an injury, and would be raring to go again.
Rishabh Pant: Is on the cusp of a little milestone — just one Test away from 50 matches. Has scored close to 3500 runs at an average of 42.91 and Test perhaps remains his only hope with Team India. So, he would like to put his best foot forward. In the SA series, scored only 49 runs in 2 Tests.
Ravindra Jadeja: India don’t have a quality all-rounder like him. One may argue that his performances have dipped, but where is the replacement? In 2025, he was India’s best batter scoring 764 runs at an average of 63. Along with that he bagged 25 wickets as well.
Test mainstay who misses out
Jasprit Bumrah: The best all-format bowler in the world only misses out, for workload management. Bumrah has been playing non-stop cricket, playing for MI at the moment. Last year, before the England Test series, it was established that the pacer won’t be able to play in all matches. Plus, the AFG Test isn’t part of the WTC cycle, so it is better he rests this one out.
Also, according to a report in PTI, Bumrah was to play either the Test series, or the 3-match ODI series. Logically, with the World Cup last year, it appears, he would pick the latter.
The No. 3 conundrum
Batting has been a concern for the team for a long time now, especially the no. 3 slot. Since the England series, Sai Sudharsan has been the preferred choice; a couple of games even Karun Nair was tried. But then talking about Sai, he has failed to grab his chances. In 6 matches, he has scored 302 runs, at an average of 27. In-swinging delivery has been a big issue; His domestic record isn’t great either. He averages only 38 across 39 FC games.
One gets a feeling that the selectors might tilt towards Devdutt Padikkal now. In the last FC season, he scored 543 runs in 6 matches, at an average of 60. There are certain reports too, that indicate, this change might happen. In fact, former India spinner R Ashwin has advocated for his inclusion in Tests.
“I want Devdutt Padikkal to be India’s No. 3 in Test cricket. He has batted so well, and he deserves to be an incumbent Test player for India. He should be given a long-term chance,” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel. “He is very proactive against spinners. He was there with me in RR, and at the time, he used to play spinners on the back foot. Now, he plays the reverse sweep and sweep. He also has the feet usage,” he added.
Sarfaraz Khan returns
This man, Sarfaraz Khan has been overlooked for a long time now. His Ranji returns are extra-ordinary, and hadn’t done badly for India in the matches he got to play. Yet, since the AUS series, he has not played a single match. This year in Ranji, he scored 429 runs at an average of 53. One of the biggest considerations should be, Indian batters are struggling in Tests vs Spin, and he is an excellent batter against spinners.
Who will be the pacers for IND vs AFG series?
Now the big question, if Bumrah won’t be there, then how would the pace attack look. Will the selectors look at some new players, or get in players who have been trying to make a comeback? This is one department that has a lot of ifs and buts.
Mohammed Siraj: He is the de facto leader of the pack, when Bumrah is not there. He is a workhorse, and should be there in the team. Last year, he had picked 43 wickets in 10 matches.
Akash Deep: A good bowler to have in the side, but missed the entire IPL 2026 due to a lower-back injury. Is injury prone, and one doesn’t know his current status. He picked up 28 wickets in domestic season in 6 matches for Bengal.
Prasidh Krishna: He was overlooked for the SA series, but might just be making a comeback vs AFG. For that, he played 4 matches for Karnataka and picked up 18 wickets. In the IPL, he has picked up 14 in 8 matches for GT.
Mohammed Shami: Even though Shami picked up 37 wickets for Bengal in 7 matches, one feels that the selectors are not willing to go back to him. He bowled over 230 overs in the season, but it looks highly unlikely, that he will be picked. Instead a fresh face will be given a chance.
Gurnoor Brar/Auqib Nabi: Some reports have suggested that the selectors might be keen on picking 6’5 Punjab pacer Gurnoon Brar, while some feel J&K bowler Nabi might make the cut. But then, injuries might be a concern with Brar. He did not play in the Ranji Trophy last year.
It is Nabi who shone in the Ranji where he picked up 60 wickets in 10 matches, to take his side to maiden title. He averaged only 12.56. In fact, he has been consistent for the last two years, and in 2024-25 season, picked up 44 wickets in 8 matches. He looks the more likely candidate to get the call.
If not Axar Patel, then who?
Axar Patel hasn’t been able to cement his spot in the Test side. And he might just miss out on the bus again. That’s due to his diminishing returns in the format, wickets-wise. In 2023, he picked only 3 wickets in 4 matches. In 2024, he picked 5 in 2, and in 2025 he picked two wickets against SA.
So, for the second spinner, it might be a contest between Manav Suthar and Harsh Dubey. Dubey, the Vidarbha bowler has been a giant in the last few years. This year, he picked up 14 wickets in only 3 matches, while Suthar picked up 18 in as many. In 2024 season, meanwhile, Dubey was the highest wicket-taker with 69 scalps, while Suthar had picked up 17 in 4. But perhaps, Suthar inches ahead in this race, since he was picked for the IND A vs Australia A series. In the latter he picked up 8 wickets in 2 innings, and was the highest wicket-taker. Dubey, vs SA A had picked up two wickets.
Outside chance: Tanish Kotian could get a look in. He had a wonderful Test vs SA A, where he picked up 8 wickets. Out of these spinners, he is the best batter too, and averages 42 in FC career. Last consideration could be, the team lacks an right-hand off spinner.
Predicted India squad for Afghanistan Test
Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Dhruv Jurel, Sarfaraz Khan, Devdutt Padikkal, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Prasidh Krishna, Mohammed Siraj, Manav Suthar, Auqib Nabi, Kuldeep Yadav.
Predicted India squad for Afghanistan Test: Padikkal for Sudharsan, comeback for Sarfaraz Khan Inside Sport India.
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