BCCI To Announce India Squad Vs Afghanistan On 'This' Date; Ishan Kishan's Comeback Fixed

India squad to be announced next week [Source: AFP]The BCCI selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, is set to announce the India squad vs Afghanistan next week. After the conclusion of the IPL 2026, the Indian team will host Afghanistan for one Test and three ODIs. Afghanistan's tour of India 2026 begins with a one-off Test match at the Mullanpur Stadium in New Chandigarh. After that, both teams will cross swords in three ODIs on June 14, 17 and 20. BCCI to announce India squad vs Afghanistan next weekAccording to the latest reports, the India Test squad vs Afghanistan might witness several fresh faces, with the BCCI likely to manage Jasprit Bumrah's workload by resting the experienced fast bowler. The likes of Gurnoor Brar and Auqib Nabi will be frontrunners to get a well-deserved maiden call-up. On the other hand, the Indian selectors will likely persist with the core batting group, comprising Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul and captain Shubman Gill, despite the one-off Test against Afghanistan not being a part of the current WTC cycle. According to the Times of India, the BCCI selection committee will likely announce the India squad Vs Afghanistan on May 19. Rishabh Pant could be replaced by Ishan KishanThe report claims that the Ajit Agarkar-led BCCI selection committee might drop Rishabh Pant from the Indian ODI team. Pant has had a torrid run in the IPL 2026 for Lucknow Super Giants. The southpaw has managed only 251 runs in 11 innings at a modest average of 27.89. Also Read: India Squad for Afghanistan Tests- Crucial Mohammed Shami Decision TakenHis prolonged inconsistency in white-ball cricket could lead to Rishabh Pant's ouster from the ODI setup, with India looking for a suitable reserve wicketkeeper ahead of the 2027 World Cup. While KL Rahul is all set to retain his spot as the first-choice keeper-batter, Ishan Kishan might pip Pant in the reserve wicketkeeper's race. Ishan has been a prolific performer for Sunrisers Hyderabad this season, amassing 420 runs at a blistering strike rate of 185.84. Ishan's successful T20 World Cup campaign and excellent returns in the Vijay Hazare Trophy as well as the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy could help him earn a call-up to the Indian ODI team after a long hiatus. BCCI selectors caught in Jadeja vs Axar conundrumChoosing one spin bowling allrounder between Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel is going to be a tough task for the BCCI selectors. The Times of India reports that the selectors are not convinced of Ravindra Jadeja's batting approach as a lower-middle-order player in ODIs. His persistent struggle to up the ante in the death overs is a factor that could result in Jadeja's ouster from the India ODI squad vs Afghanistan. In such a scenario, Axar Patel could be picked in the India squad vs Afghanistan as the first-choice spin bowling allrounder. It remains to be seen if Hardik Pandya makes it into the team amid his struggles with a back spasm that has kept him out of action for Mumbai Indians in IPL 2026. Having said that, the report claims there won't be many surprises in the India ODI squad vs Afghanistan, with the Men in Blue kick-starting their preparations for the forthcoming World Cup. Also Read: Depleted Mumbai Indians Seek Revenge, Aim To Shatter Punjab Kings' Playoff Hopes