Dubey, Suthar and Brar earn maiden India Test call-ups for Afghanistan clash
Synopsis
Three uncapped players — spinner Manav Suthar, all-rounder Harsh Dubey, and pacer Gurnoor Brar — have been handed maiden India Test call-ups for the Afghanistan fixture in New Chandigarh. With Bumrah and Jadeja both rested, the squad doubles as a talent-scouting exercise ahead of Sri Lanka and New Zealand tours.
Key Takeaways
Manav Suthar , Harsh Dubey , and Gurnoor Brar receive maiden India Test call-ups for the Afghanistan one-off Test.
The match is scheduled at New Chandigarh from 6 to 10 June .
Shubman Gill named captain; KL Rahul appointed vice-captain, replacing Rishabh Pant in that role.
Ravindra Jadeja and Jasprit Bumrah have both been rested for the fixture.
This is India's first Test since a 2-0 home defeat to South Africa ; the game falls outside the WTC cycle.
India's only previous Test against Afghanistan — in Bengaluru in 2018 — ended in an innings-and- 262-run win inside two days.
Manav Suthar, Harsh Dubey, and Gurnoor Brar received their maiden India Test call-ups on Tuesday as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) named a 15-member squad for the one-off Test against Afghanistan, scheduled at New Chandigarh from 6 to 10 June. The announcement was made jointly by chief selector Ajit Agarkar and BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia at a virtual press conference.
Leadership Changes in the Squad
Shubman Gill has been appointed captain for the fixture, while KL Rahul steps in as vice-captain, replacing Rishabh Pant in that role. The batting line-up also features Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sai Sudharsan, Devdutt Padikkal, and Dhruv Jurel, alongside Pant who retains his place as wicketkeeper-batter.
New Faces and Spin Resources
Left-arm spinner Suthar, left-arm spin bowling all-rounder Dubey, and seam bowler Brar have all been India 'A' regulars after consistent performances in domestic red-ball cricket. Their inclusion signals the selection panel's intent to deepen India's spin and pace reserves ahead of a demanding international schedule. With Ravindra Jadeja rested for this game, Kuldeep Yadav and Washington Sundar will shoulder the spin bowling responsibilities.
'Ravindra Jadeja is an integral part of the team. He's rested for the Test match, and we are trying to give other players opportunities. It's for this Test that we have not picked him,' chief selector Agarkar said at the virtual press conference.
Pace Attack Without Bumrah
Mohammed Siraj will lead the pace attack in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah, who has been rested. Prasidh Krishna and debutant Brar provide support, while Nitish Kumar Reddy continues in the squad as a pace-bowling all-rounder.
Context and What It Means for Indian Cricket
This Test marks India's first red-ball outing since their 2-0 home series defeat to South Africa last year. Although the Afghanistan fixture falls outside the World Test Championship (WTC) cycle, it carries considerable weight as a preparation platform — India face back-to-back tours of Sri Lanka and New Zealand in the months ahead. Notably, the two sides have met in Test cricket only once before: at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru in 2018, a match India won by an innings and 262 runs inside two days.
India Test squad: Shubman Gill (c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul (vc), Sai Sudharsan, Rishabh Pant (wk), Devdutt Padikkal, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Manav Suthar, Gurnoor Brar, Harsh Dubey, Dhruv Jurel.
Point of View
But the real story is structural: India are using a low-stakes fixture to stress-test their next tier of red-ball talent before high-pressure tours of Sri Lanka and New Zealand. Suthar and Dubey's inclusion in particular reflects a deliberate push to build left-arm spin depth — a resource India have historically underinvested in at Test level. Whether these three debutants can hold their own against an improving Afghanistan side, even without WTC points on the line, will be an early signal of how ready India's bench really is.
NationPress
10 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the three players making their maiden India Test call-up for the Afghanistan match?
Left-arm spinner Manav Suthar, left-arm spin bowling all-rounder Harsh Dubey, and seam bowler Gurnoor Brar have all been called up to the India Test squad for the first time. All three have been regular performers for India 'A' and in domestic red-ball cricket.
When and where is the India vs Afghanistan Test being played?
The one-off Test between India and Afghanistan is scheduled from 6 to 10 June at New Chandigarh. It is India's first Test match since their 2-0 home series loss to South Africa last year.
Why have Ravindra Jadeja and Jasprit Bumrah been left out?
Both Jadeja and Bumrah have been rested for this fixture. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar confirmed Jadeja's omission is a deliberate rest, saying the team wants to give other players opportunities for this specific Test.
Is the Afghanistan Test part of the World Test Championship cycle?
No, the one-off Test against Afghanistan falls outside the World Test Championship (WTC) cycle. However, it serves as important preparation for India's upcoming two-match Test tours of Sri Lanka and New Zealand.
What is India's head-to-head record against Afghanistan in Tests?
India and Afghanistan have played only one Test previously, at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru in 2018. India won that match by an innings and 262 runs, with the game concluding inside two days.
