Rishabh Pant To Be Ousted? India Predicted Playing XI vs Afghanistan, Only Test

Indian Test Cricket team [Source: AFP]

D-Day is almost here, as the all-exciting India vs Afghanistan only Test is set to take place on June 6 at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium. The match is set to begin at 9:30 AM IST, as both teams will look forward to grabbing a win in the match.

Coming on the back of a 2-0 defeat to South Africa earlier this year, Shubman Gill’s men would like to salvage their form against an underdog team, Afghanistan.

The Chandigarh track will offer consistent bounce and pace with time-to-time help for spinners. In front of a spin-heavy Afghan bowling attack, Gill and Co. would like to open fire in a batting-dominated arena.

Hence, with multiple factors at play in accountability, let’s take a look at the strongest Playing XI India can field against Afghanistan in the Only Test.

India Playing XI vs Afghanistan, Afghanistan Tour of India 2026, Only Test

Top Order- Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill (c)

With Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul in the mix, the opening pair is sorted for the Indian team. Although Sai Sudharsan and Shubman Gill have been a template opening pair in the IPL 2026, Jaiswal and Rahul’s opening pair have been doing wonders for the team in Whites in recent years.

Sai Sudharsan will work his way up to No. 3 as a potent anchor option in case any early wickets fall. He averages poorly at three @27.45. However, all of his Test innings have come at this position, and it is unlikely that the management would experiment with him while Jaiswal and veteran Rahul are at the top.

Shubman Gill, meanwhile, will come at No. 4, a newfound batting position that he has been exploring since the England tour in 2025. He averages 85.36 from 13 Test innings at No. 4 and would likely continue at this position to lead with the bat and protect the top order after any atrocity.

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Middle Order & All-Rounders- Rishabh Pant (wk), Devdutt Padikkal, Washington Sundar, Nitish Kumar Reddy

The middle order comes with a lot of questions, especially with Rishabh Pant. Dhruv Jurel is a potent wicketkeeper-batter option for India in Test cricket now. Relying on an unorthodox and inconsistent Pant would not do any good for Gautam Gambhir and Co. After Pant’s LSG ouster, the spotlight on him is now all the more concerning.

Although he is not at his very best, Rishabh’s batting average in 2025 stands at 48.38 in Tests. Pant usually does not play deep by frustrating bowlers with a long knock; instead, he frustrates bowlers with his unorthodox strokes, which adds to the glamour in the play.

Even if unpredictable and largely inconsistent with the score, it is likely that Gambhir and the management would offer Pant a spot in the IND vs AFG Only Test, over Jurel.

At No. 6, Devdutt Padikkal might get a nod, or India might go for a bowling option in Harsh Dubey or Gurnoor Brar. Whether a batting-heavy or a bowling-heavy lineup is required will depend on the pitch type on June 6, yet if Padikkal is picked, he will fight with his might to prove his point, especially after a successful IPL 2026 season.

Washington Sundar and Nitish Kumar Reddy will round off the batting lineup with their spin and pace bowling expertise, respectively. The two premier all-rounder options will add further depth to India’s batting lineup and will also add extra hands for the bowling department.

Bowlers- Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, Prasidh Krishna

The pace department will be led by Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna. Both will continue the Tests after a decent form in IPL and solid Test stats by their side.

In the absence of Jasprit Bumrah, Siraj and Krishna’s support will be Nitish Kumar Reddy on the New Chandigarh pitch.

Meanwhile, India can find spin with Kuldeep Yadav leading the spin department, and Washington Sundar too joining him to add to Afghanistan’s troubles.

Overall, three pace and two spin options at Chandigarh will see a balanced attacking approach for India, as bounce and carry on the track is set to play a major role in the IND vs AFG Only Test.

IND Playing XI vs AFG- Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill (c), Rishabh Pant (wk), Devdutt Padikkal, Washington Sundar, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, Prasidh Krishna

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