India vs Afghanistan 2026: Full ODI & Test Squad, Captain and Players List

On May 19, 2026, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the squad for the India vs Afghanistan multi-format series to be held from June 6 to June 20, 2026. On paper, this is just the second bilateral tour.

In reality, it is another step towards the 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup cycle, where every selection is being looked at from a long-term perspective.

India Squad Announcement For Afghanistan Series

Shubman Gill continues as captain in both Test and ODI formats, signaling a clear transition phase in leadership planning. KL Rahul has been appointed as vice-captain for Tests, while Shreyas Iyer takes over the captaincy in ODIs. This is not just about roles on paper, but about preparing leadership depth for the upcoming ICC cycle.

After the one-off Test match starting in New Chandigarh from June 6, the ODI series will begin on June 14, 2026. Senior players Rohit Sharma (subject to fitness) and Virat Kohli have been included in the ODI squad. Kohli has been selected after a strong season in IPL 2026 where he is in strong batting form and is expected to continue to manage the innings in the 50-over format.

At the same time, as part of workload management, Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja have been rested from both the Test and ODI teams. Rishabh Pant has also not been included in the ODI setup, indicating that rotation is now the main principle of selection, and not an occasional decision.

New players In India Squad

This team is not just about the big names. It is also about the new players trying to break in. In the Test setup, players like Gurnoor Brar, Harsh Dubey and Manav Suthar have got chances, showing a clear attempt to test India’s bench strength in red-ball cricket. These are not symbolic choices. They are practical experiments for the future.

In the ODI team, Prince Yadav gets his first pick, joining a highly experienced core that includes big names like Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul. This balance between new talent and established players shows a deliberate attempt to prepare combinations before the major ICC tournaments arrive.

India vs Afghanistan Match Schedule (2026)

India’s tour will begin with a one-off Test match to be played at the Maharaja Yadvinder Singh PCA Stadium in New Chandigarh from June 6 to June 10, 2026. Immediately after that, the focus will shift to white-ball cricket.

The ODI series will begin on June 14, 2026, with matches in Dharamsala, Lucknow and Chennai. Each venue brings different conditions, different challenges and different learning opportunities as the team is still finalising its long-term core.

Test Schedule (2026)

ODI Schedule (2026)

India’s squad for Afghanistan Test

The Test team looks stable, almost deliberately so. Shubman Gill is leading the team, with KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal expected to form the foundation of the top-order.

In the middle order, Rishabh Pant and Dhruv Jurel provide wicketkeeping options, while Sai Sudharsan and Devdutt Padikkal compete for the number three spot. This internal competition is not a dilemma. It is building depth.

The structure of the Test team reflects a larger strategy. India is not just building a playing XI, but also a pipeline.

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India Squad For Afghanistan ODI

The ODI team has both experience and uncertainty, which is typical of a transitional phase.

Virat Kohli is expected to lead the batting unit, especially after his strong performance in IPL 2026 where he has consistently run innings and completed chases. His role remains clear. Stability in the top order.

Rohit Sharma’s availability is subject to fitness due to a hamstring concern, while Hardik Pandya is also under observation due to a back injury he suffered during the IPL. These fitness checks are not just medical updates, they directly affect India’s balance.

Jasprit Bumrah has been rested from the ODI team, which continues the workload management strategy during the IPL season. He has also been rested from the Test team, indicating that long-term fitness is now being prioritised over short-term availability.

Conclusion

India will start with a Test match against Afghanistan from June 6, 2026, followed by a three-match ODI series on June 20, 2026.

This is not a high-profile bilateral series in the traditional sense. It is something more structured and more strategic. As the 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup cycle approaches, every selection, every rest decision and every debut is part of a larger plan.

Indian cricket is no longer just about picking teams. It is about building its next version.

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FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Who is leading India in the Afghanistan series?

Shubman Gill leads India in Tests and ODIs. He is young, stable and already trusted to lead a team that is being rebuilt for the 2027 World Cup cycle.

Q2. Why aren’t senior players like Bumrah and Jadeja playing?

He has been rested for workload management. The long road to a big tournament is more important than a short series in June.

Q3. Who are the new players in the team?

Names like Gurnoor Brar, Harsh Dubey, Manav Suthar and Prince Yadav come in. They are not here to embellish. They are here to test under pressure.

Q4. What is special about Virat Kohli’s selection?

He returned after a strong season in IPL 2026. He is still a key player. Still the guy expected to hold the innings together when others swing and miss.