The upcoming one-off Test between India and Afghanistan has generated plenty of excitement among cricket fans. This preview covers the toss prediction, probable playing XIs, pitch conditions, and the key players who could influence the outcome of the match.
India will be eager to make a strong start in the upcoming Test season. With several senior players unavailable, the match presents an opportunity for younger players to make their mark.
Afghanistan, meanwhile, will look to test themselves against one of the strongest teams in world cricket. Despite limited experience in the longest format, they will be determined to put up a competitive performance and challenge the hosts in Mullanpur.
India will enter the one-off Test as clear favorites. The hosts have a strong batting lineup, quality spin options, and greater depth in both departments. Even without several senior players, India possess enough experience and talent to control the match in home conditions.
Afghanistan will face a tough challenge against one of the strongest Test teams in the world. The visitors are also without key bowlers Rashid Khan and Mujeeb Ur Rahman, which weakens their attack. Their limited experience in five-day cricket could also prove costly over the course of the match.
With a superior squad and an excellent home record, India are expected to dominate the contest from the early stages and secure a comfortable victory.
India vs Afghanistan One-Off Test Match Details
The one-off Test is part of the Afghanistan Tour of India 2026. The five-day match will be played at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur, New Chandigarh from Saturday, June 6.
The match is scheduled to begin at 9:30 AM IST, while the toss will take place at 9:00 AM IST. Both teams will be eager to make an impact in the red-ball contest.
The pitch at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium is expected to provide a balanced contest between bat and ball. The black-soil surface should offer good bounce and carry early in the match, allowing fast bowlers to make an impact with the new ball.
As the game progresses, batting conditions are likely to improve. However, the surface is expected to slow down over time, bringing spinners into the game and offering more turn and grip during the later stages of the Test.
India vs Afghanistan One-Off Test Weather Report
The weather in Mullanpur is expected to remain hot and mostly dry throughout the opening day of the Test. Temperatures could reach 38°C during the afternoon, while humidity is likely to stay around 32%.
There is a chance of thunderstorms during the morning, but the forecast suggests that conditions will improve as the day progresses. Sunny and hazy weather is expected for most of the match, with no major rain interruptions likely after the early hours.
India and Afghanistan have faced each other only once in Test cricket. The match took place in June 2018 at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
India dominated the contest and won by an innings and 262 runs. After scoring 474 in their first innings, India bowled Afghanistan out for 109 and 103.
India vs Afghanistan One-Off Test Probable Playing XI
India Probable Playing XI: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill (c), Rishabh Pant (wk), Devdutt Padikkal, Washington Sundar, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna.
Afghanistan Probable Playing XI: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Sediqullah Atal, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Ikram Alikhil, Azmatullah Omarzai, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Nangyal Kharotai, Qais Ahmad, Bilal Sami, Saleem Safi.
India have not played much red-ball cricket recently. Shubman Gill will lead the side, while KL Rahul also enters the match after a strong IPL 2026 campaign.
Afghanistan have suffered a major setback with Rashid Khan and Mujeeb Ur Rahman unavailable for the Test. Their last red-ball outing ended in an innings defeat to Zimbabwe, and they will need a much better performance to challenge India.
India vs Afghanistan One-Off Test Toss Prediction
The team winning the toss is likely to bat first. The pitch is expected to offer the best batting conditions early in the match before slowing down and helping spinners later in the game.
India
Shubman Gill: The India captain is in outstanding form after scoring 983 runs in nine Tests in 2025 at an average of 70.21.
KL Rahul: The experienced opener provides stability at the top and will be crucial in helping India build a strong first-innings total.
Kuldeep Yadav: The left-arm wrist-spinner has taken 76 Test wickets at an average of 22.42 and could be a major threat on a turning pitch.
Afghanistan
Rahmanullah Gurbaz: The aggressive opener can change the game quickly and will be key to Afghanistan's chances at the top of the order.
Rahmat Shah: Afghanistan's leading Test run-scorer brings experience and will be responsible for anchoring the batting lineup.
Qais Ahmad: The leg-spinner will lead Afghanistan's spin attack and could play a vital role if the pitch starts offering turn.
India vs Afghanistan One-Off Test Best Batsman Prediction
India - Shubman Gill
Shubman Gill is the top pick for India's best batter in this Test. The India captain enjoyed a brilliant 2025, scoring 983 runs in nine Tests at an average of 70.21. He will look to continue that form and play a leading role with the bat against Afghanistan.
Afghanistan - Rahmat Shah
Rahmat Shah is Afghanistan's best batting option heading into the match. He is the country's leading run-scorer in Test cricket, with 970 runs in 11 matches at an average of 46.19. Afghanistan will depend on his experience and technique to handle India's bowling attack.
India - Kuldeep Yadav
Kuldeep Yadav is the leading candidate for India's best bowler. The left-arm wrist-spinner has taken 76 Test wickets at an average of 22.42. If the pitch starts helping spin, Kuldeep could play a major role in breaking through Afghanistan's batting lineup.
Afghanistan - Qais Ahmad
Qais Ahmad is Afghanistan's best bowling option for this Test. The leg-spinner has shown strong promise in red-ball cricket and will lead Afghanistan's spin attack in the absence of Rashid Khan and Mujeeb Ur Rahman.
India vs Afghanistan One-Off Test Winning Probability
India: 85%
Afghanistan: 15%
India vs Afghanistan One-Off Test Match Prediction: Final Verdict
India are expected to win the one-off Test comfortably. Shubman Gill will be crucial at the top of the order, while Kuldeep Yadav could prove decisive with the ball. If India play to their potential, they should secure victory before the final day.
Also read: Krunal Pandya dedicates RCB's IPL 2026 title to fans and victims of last year's tragedy
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