India will take on Afghanistan in a one-off Test at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur, New Chandigarh, starting on Saturday, June 6. Fans will be eager to see how both teams perform in this highly anticipated red-ball clash.
India will enter the fixture under the leadership of Shubman Gill. With several senior players like Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja unavailable, the match offers a valuable opportunity for younger players to step up and stake their claim in the national setup.
Afghanistan will be aiming to continue their growth in the longest format and test themselves against one of the world's strongest teams. The Test match also gives several players from both sides a chance to showcase their skills and make a lasting impression.
Match: India vs Afghanistan, One-Off Test
Series: Afghanistan Tour of India 2026
Venue: Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium
Location: New Chandigarh, Punjab
Date: June 6-10, 2026
Match Start Time: 9:30 AM IST
Toss Time: 9:00 AM IST
Format: Test (Five-Day Match)
India vs Afghanistan One-Off Test Team News
India will be without key players Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja, who have been rested for the one-off Test. Shubman Gill will captain the side, while KL Rahul has been named vice-captain.
Afghanistan have also been dealt a major blow, with star spinners Rashid Khan and Mujeeb Ur Rahman unavailable for the match. Their absence leaves Afghanistan without two of their most experienced bowling options for this important Test.
India are expected to field a balanced side featuring a strong top order, quality all-rounders, and a young bowling attack. Captain Shubman Gill and vice-captain KL Rahul will be key figures with the bat.
Kuldeep Yadav is likely to play a major role on a surface that could assist spin. Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna will lead the pace attack in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah.
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 will rely heavily on their experienced batting core led by captain Hashmatullah Shahidi and Rahmat Shah. Rahmanullah Gurbaz can provide an aggressive start at the top, while Azmatullah Omarzai adds balance as an all-rounder.
With Rashid Khan and Mujeeb Ur Rahman unavailable, much of the bowling responsibility will fall on leg-spinner Qais Ahmad and the pace duo of Bilal Sami and Saleem Safi.
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 vs Afghanistan One-Off Test Pitch Report
The Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh will host its first-ever Test match. The venue has mainly staged T20 games so far, but the surface is expected to provide a balanced contest between bat and ball.
Fresh black-soil pitch should offer good bounce and carry early in the match, giving fast bowlers some assistance with the new ball. Once the initial movement fades, batters are likely to enjoy favorable conditions and can score freely if they settle in.
As the Test progresses, the surface is expected to slow down and offer more grip for spinners. Teams batting first could have an advantage, with a first-innings score of around 350-400 likely to put significant pressure on the opposition.
The weather in Mullanpur is expected to remain hot and mostly dry throughout the five-day Test. Temperatures are likely to range between 35°C and 38°C, with hazy sunshine dominating the forecast for most of the match.
There is a chance of thunderstorms during the morning on Day 1, but significant rain interruptions are not expected. Humidity is forecast to stay around 32%, which should make conditions challenging for players spending long hours in the field.
The hot weather could also speed up the wear and tear of the pitch as the match progresses. As a result, the captain winning the toss may prefer to bat first and take advantage of the better batting conditions early in the game.
India vs Afghanistan One-Off Test Head-to-Head Record
India and Afghanistan have faced each other only once in Test cricket. Their only meeting came in June 2018 at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
India dominated that match and secured a massive victory by an innings and 262 runs. After posting 474 in their first innings, India bowled Afghanistan out for 109 and 103 to complete a comprehensive win.
Shubman Gill (India):
India captain Shubman Gill will be one of the key players to watch in this Test. In 2025, he scored 983 runs in nine Tests at an average of 70.21. Gill will carry the responsibility of leading the batting unit and guiding India in a new era of Test cricket.
KL Rahul (India):
KL Rahul will provide stability at the top of the order and play an important role alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal. Rahul's ability to bat for long periods could be crucial on a surface expected to become better for batting.
Kuldeep Yadav (India):
Kuldeep Yadav could be India's biggest threat with the ball, especially as the pitch begins to wear down. The left-arm wrist-spinner has taken 76 Test wickets at an average of 22.42. His ability to generate turn and deceive batters makes him a key weapon against Afghanistan's batting lineup.
Rahmat Shah (Afghanistan):
Rahmat Shah is Afghanistan's most dependable batter in Test cricket. He has scored 970 runs in 11 Tests at an average of 46.19, making him the country's leading run-scorer in the format. Afghanistan will rely heavily on his experience and technique against India's bowling attack.
Hashmatullah Shahidi (Afghanistan):
Captain Hashmatullah Shahidi is the backbone of Afghanistan's batting unit. The left-hander has played several memorable innings in Test cricket, including a double century. His ability to occupy the crease and build partnerships will be vital if Afghanistan are to challenge India.
Qais Ahmad (Afghanistan):
With Rashid Khan and Mujeeb Ur Rahman unavailable, much of Afghanistan's bowling responsibility will fall on Qais Ahmad. The leg-spinner has earned a reputation as a wicket-taker in red-ball cricket and could become a major factor if the pitch starts assisting spin later in the match.
India vs Afghanistan One-Off Test Key Battles to Watch
Shubman Gill vs Qais Ahmad
Shubman Gill enters the match in exceptional form and will be the key wicket for Afghanistan. Leg-spinner Qais Ahmad is expected to lead Afghanistan's spin attack and could pose a challenge if the pitch begins to offer turn.
Kuldeep Yadav vs Rahmat Shah
Kuldeep Yadav's wrist spin could be one of India's biggest weapons on a surface expected to assist spinners later in the game. Rahmat Shah will need to handle Kuldeep's variations if he hopes to anchor the innings and guide his team to a competitive total.
KL Rahul vs Bilal Sami
KL Rahul's experience at the top of the order will be crucial for India, especially against the new ball. Afghanistan pace bowler Bilal Sami will look to make early breakthroughs and put pressure on India's batting lineup.
The Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh will host its first-ever Test match. The venue has mainly staged T20 matches since its inauguration and has been a regular home ground for Punjab Kings in the IPL.
In T20 cricket at this venue, the average first-innings score is 178, while the average second-innings score drops to 162. The surface tends to slow down as the match progresses.
The black-soil pitch is known for providing good bounce and carry early on, helping fast bowlers. As the game moves forward, spinners are expected to come into play as the surface offers more turn and grip. In Test cricket, a first-innings total of around 350-400 could prove competitive at this venue.
India vs Afghanistan One-Off Test Live Streaming & Telecast Details
TV Broadcast: Star Sports Network
Channels: Star Sports 1, Star Sports 2, Star Sports Hindi, Star Sports Tamil, and Star Sports Telugu
Live Streaming: JioHotstar App and Website
Subscription Required: Yes
Match Format: Test
Venue: Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, New Chandigarh
Start Time: 9:30 AM IST
Toss Time: 9:00 AM IST
Fans can watch the match live on the Star Sports Network or stream it on JioHotstar with an active subscription.
India vs Afghanistan One-Off Test Match Prediction
India will enter the one-off Test as clear favorites. The hosts possess a strong batting lineup featuring Shubman Gill, KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Rishabh Pant. Their bowling attack, led by Mohammed Siraj and Kuldeep Yadav, also gives them a significant advantage.
India's outstanding home record in Test cricket and greater depth across all departments make them the stronger side on paper. If the hosts perform to their potential, they should control the match from the early stages and secure a comfortable victory.
Prediction: India to win the One-Off Test.
Also read: "Been a good conversation": Krunal Pandya opens up on strained relationship with Hardik Pandya after RCB’s IPL 2026 title win
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