Team India Confirms 1 Debutant For Afghanistan Test

One debutant set to play vs Afghanistan [Source: AFP]

The IPL 2026 season is over, and Team India’s international schedule returns as the side will take on the touring Afghanistan team in a one-off Test match and three ODI games. The Test match will commence first in Mullanpur, and the red-ball contest provides India a chance to understand their best combination.

Almost all the IPL-bound players have joined the Indian camp as the Shubman Gill-led side prepares for the Afghanistan challenge. In recent years, India’s Test record at home has been horrendous, as the hosts were outplayed by New Zealand and South Africa.

The BCCI picked several debutants for the one-off Test match against Afghanistan, and it seems one of them could be included in the playing XI on Saturday.

India coach confirms one debutant for Afghanistan Test

Ahead of the first Test match in Mullanpur, Team India assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate attended the pre-game presser, and he indicated that one between Harsh Dubey and Manav Suthar could make their debut in the one-off game.

Ten Doeschate also indirectly leaked the playing XI, stating that India could go ahead with two pacers, two all-rounders, and a front-line spinner.

 “I would imagine we play two seamers, and a spinner with two spin-allrounders if you consider that the two guys we brought in can bat a little bit as well. We certainly want to start preparing for the road ahead. It’s going to be nine crucial Test matches in the WTC cycle, and sort of our last stab at making that final which is top of priority at the moment. 

So, I think if you look forward to where we’ve got to play, who we’ve got to play against, we’re probably going to look to set up the team more with that in mind, and that would suggest three spinners," as quoted by RevSportz.

What could be India's ideal bowling lineup for the one-off Test?

Ten Doeschate stated that two seamers will be in the lineup, and those two could be the GT pair of Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna. With no Jasprit Bumrah in the lineup, Mohammed Siraj will be the leader of the pace attack alongside Krishna.

The one front-line spinner would be Kuldeep Yadav, who’ll be eager to get back amongst the wicket-takers after getting dropped from his IPL side midway through the competition.

Washington Sundar, will most likely be the first spin-bowling all-rounder in the side, and the other choice lies between Manav Suthar, and Harsh Dubey.

Also Read: Mohammed Siraj Opens New Window For Auqib Nabi's India Squad Addition

Sundar has done wonders with the bat for India, and he’ll most likely play inside the top six for the Shubman Gill-led side. Manav Suthar could be the debutant for India in the one-off Test match. He plays for GT, and Gill knows his strengths and weaknesses.

Mullanpur pitch prompting India to play three spinners

Reportedly, the Mullanpur pitch is set to offer assistance to the spinners. The match is taking place in June, and the game will be played in North India, where the climate is hot, as cracks might open on the surface as the Test match progresses.

This is the main reason why the Indian management has decided to go in with three spinners (two all-rounders, one front-line spinner).

Traditionally, India has been a spin-heavy team, and they will back their strength against the touring Afghanistan side.

Also Read: Team India Issues Official Statement On Virat Kohli's Injury