![India predicted squad vs Afghanistan [Source: AFP]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1779015033269_IndiapredictedsquadvsAfghanistan.jpg?type=hq)
India predicted squad vs Afghanistan [Source: AFP]
The IPL 2026 has reached its business end, as the tournament will get over on May 31. Once IPL is over, the focus will shift towards India’s international schedule, and Team India’s first assignment will be a home series against Afghanistan side.
The tour will commence with a one-off Test match, followed by the ODI series. More than the ODIs, India’s focus will be on the Test match as their red-ball statistics have fallen in recent years.
Last year, India drew an away series with England, defeated the West Indian side at home, but then suffered a whitewash at home against South Africa. The upcoming Afghanistan Test provides India a chance to redeem itself, and here is Team India’s predicted squad for the one-off Test match.
India's Likely squad for the one-off Test vs Afghanistan
Batters: KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Devdutt Padikkal, Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant, Dhruv Jurel
On paper, India has a strong batting lineup, with two reliable openers in Yashasvi Jaiswal, and KL Rahul. The pair did well in Australia and England, and were one of the main reasons why India managed to drew the away series vs England.
With Sai Sudharsan failing to cement his place at number 3, reports have emerged that Devdutt Padikkal will play at number 3 against the Afghanistan side in the one-off Test. The Karnataka batter looked in ominous touch in Ranji Trophy, and he’ll be eager to prove his worth.
Shubman Gill will be the backbone of the middle-order lineup, and the Indian captain will be the key wicket for the opponent. Apart from him, the two wicket-keepers are expected to be Rishabh Pant, and Dhruv Jurel, with Pant being in the main XI.
All-rounders: Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Reddy, Manav Suthar
The experienced Ravindra Jadeja at home is a dangerous prospect, and he’ll be one of the key all-rounders in the India squad for the one-off Test match. Washington Sundar did well in the England tour, and Gautam Gambhir has shown trust in him, and he’ll also be included in the squad.
Team India needs a pace bowling all-rounder, and Nitish Kumar Reddy will be India’s answer. Apart from him, reports emerged that the selectors are looking at Rajasthan all-rounder, Manav Suthar, and he can also get his maiden call-up.
Also Read: Abhishek Sharma In, Suryakumar Yadav Out- India T20 Squad vs Ireland, England Predicted
Bowlers: Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, Auqib Nabi, Kuldeep Yadav
Over the last few years, India has carefully monitored Jasprit Bumrah’s workload, and most likely, the management will allow him a rest period, and he might not feature in the one-off Test vs Afghanistan. Instead, the selectors could go after Jammu and Kashmir sensation, Auqib Nabi, who helped his side clinch the Ranji title.
Prasidh Krishna has blown hot and cold in his short Test journey, but with Harshit Rana injured, and Bumrah likely to be rested, the selectors might give him one more chance against the Afghans to prove his worth.
Akash Deep, if fit will be the backup pacer in the side, and Kuldeep Yadav is always a mystery for the away teams, and he might get a chance to play in the one-off Test match.
India's predicted squad for one-off Test vs Afghanistan
KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Devdutt Padikkal, Shubman Gill(c), Rishabh Pant(wk), Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Reddy, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Manav Suthar, Akash Deep, Dhruv Jurel(wk), Auqib Nabi
.jpg?type=mq "Venkatesh Iyer celebration")
