NEW CHANDIGARH, INDIA: India are set to begin a new chapter in their Test cricket journey as they face Afghanistan in a one-off Test at the New PCA Stadium in New Chandigarh. The match marks the venue’s first-ever Test and India’s first red-ball assignment since November last year.
The occasion is significant for several reasons. Not only is New Chandigarh becoming India’s 31st men’s Test venue, but the hosts are also entering unfamiliar territory without veteran spin icons Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, who have been central figures in India’s home dominance for over a decade.
Coming just six days after the IPL 2026 final, the transition from T20 cricket to the longest format presents a unique challenge for the Indian squad. Eight members of the Test squad featured in the IPL final and must quickly readjust to the demands of red-ball cricket.
Despite the match not being part of the World Test Championship cycle, India head coach Gautam Gambhir emphasized its importance.
“A Test match is a Test match. We don’t differentiate between Test matches. Our aim is to win for the country,” Gambhir stated ahead of the match.
Kuldeep Yadav Leads India’s New-Look Spin Attack
With Ashwin retired, Jadeja rested, and Axar Patel omitted, the responsibility of leading India’s spin attack falls on Kuldeep Yadav. He will be supported by Washington Sundar and one of the two promising left-arm spin-bowling all-rounders, Harsh Dubey or Manav Suthar, both of whom are pushing for a debut.
The match is expected to be played on a black-soil surface that traditionally offers assistance to spinners as the game progresses. With temperatures likely to approach 40°C, the pitch could deteriorate quickly and bring spin heavily into play.
India have also confirmed that young batting sensation B Sai Sudharsan will continue at the crucial No. 3 position, underlining the team’s focus on building for the future.
Probable India XI
Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, B Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill (Captain), Rishabh Pant (WK), Dhruv Jurel, Washington Sundar, Harsh Dubey/Manav Suthar, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna.
Afghanistan Eye Historic Improvement
For Afghanistan, this Test represents another opportunity to prove their growth in the format since making their debut against India in 2018. On that occasion, they were defeated inside two days in Bengaluru.
Captain Hashmatullah Shahidi believes his side is far better prepared this time around, despite missing star leg-spinner Rashid Khan. The visitors will also begin a new era under recently appointed head coach Richard Pybus.
Afghanistan’s hopes will largely rest on experienced batter Rahmat Shah, who remains their most successful Test batter. He is just 30 runs away from becoming the first Afghan player to score 1,000 Test runs.
The tourists could also hand Test debuts to middle-order batter Rahmanullah and left-arm spin-bowling all-rounder Nangeyalia Kharote.
Probable Afghanistan XI
Sediqullah Atal, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (Captain), Azmatullah Omarzai, Rahmanullah, Afsar Zazai (WK), Sharafuddin Ashraf, Nangeyalia Kharote, Qais Ahmad, Ziaur Rahman.
Historic Milestones on the Horizon
Several individual landmarks could be achieved during the Test:
- Rishabh Pant is set to play his 50th Test match.
- Shubman Gill needs 157 runs to complete 3,000 Test runs.
- Rahmat Shah requires just 30 runs to become Afghanistan’s first batter with 1,000 Test runs.
- India will play a home Test without both Ashwin and Jadeja for the first time since 2010.
Pitch Report and Conditions
The New PCA Stadium surface appears batting-friendly at first glance, with a healthy grass covering. However, experts believe the extreme June heat could dry the wicket rapidly and bring spinners into the game from Day 2 onward.
Afghanistan coach Richard Pybus believes spin will eventually dominate proceedings.
“It looks like a good cricket wicket, but the heat will pull moisture out quickly. Spinners will play a major role even though it looks green at the moment,” he said.
Final Word
As India begin life after Ashwin and temporarily without Jadeja, the New Chandigarh Test offers an early glimpse into the team’s next generation. For Afghanistan, it is another chance to showcase their progress in the longest format.
With history, milestones, and national pride at stake, cricket fans can expect a fascinating battle when the two sides take the field in New Chandigarh’s inaugural Test match.
