India vs Afghanistan squad selection: Selectors to meet next week for Test, 3 ODIs
Synopsis
India's selectors are set to finalise squads for the Afghanistan Test and three ODIs next week, with Jasprit Bumrah's potential rest, maiden call-ups for Ranji Trophy star Auqib Nabi and Gurnoor Brar, and a live contest between Rishabh Pant and Ishan Kishan for the ODI wicketkeeper slot making this a selection meeting with genuine stakes.
Key Takeaways
Ajit Agarkar -led selection committee is expected to meet next week to pick squads for India's Afghanistan series.
The one-off Test is scheduled at New Chandigarh from 6–10 June ; ODIs in Dharamshala , Lucknow , and Chennai on 14, 17, and 20 June .
Jasprit Bumrah is reportedly being considered for a rest from the Test as part of workload management.
Auqib Nabi (60 Ranji Trophy wickets) and Gurnoor Brar are in contention for maiden Test call-ups.
The second ODI wicketkeeper slot is a contest between Rishabh Pant and in-form Ishan Kishan .
The spin all-rounder role for the ODIs is reportedly between Axar Patel and Ravindra Jadeja .
The Ajit Agarkar-led senior men's selection committee is expected to convene next week to finalise India's squads for the one-off Test against Afghanistan and the three ODIs that follow. The one-off Test is scheduled at New Chandigarh from 6–10 June, with the ODI series spread across Dharamshala, Lucknow, and Chennai on 14, 17, and 20 June, respectively.
Selection Timeline and Squad Announcement
According to sources tracking the development, informal communication has already been sent to players in contention, signalling a gradual ramp-up in playing workload through IPL 2026 ahead of the Afghanistan assignments. The league's final day is 31 May.
'The selectors are likely to meet around next week to take a call on the squads. It is yet to be known if the squads will be announced on the day the selectors meet or if they announce it once the IPL 2026 playoffs are over,' a source said on Thursday.
Test Squad: Bowling Group Under the Spotlight
The batting line-up for the Test is unlikely to see significant changes, but the composition of the bowling attack is expected to dominate discussions. Ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah could be rested from the contest as part of workload management ahead of future international assignments.
Notably, since the Afghanistan Test falls outside the World Test Championship (WTC) cycle, selectors are reportedly considering maiden red-ball call-ups for Auqib Nabi — the leading wicket-taker in Jammu and Kashmir's Ranji Trophy title run this season with 60 scalps — and pacer Gurnoor Brar. This is the kind of low-stakes context that has historically served as a launchpad for uncapped domestic performers.
ODI Squad: Wicketkeeper Slot and Spin All-Rounder Role in Focus
No major surprises are anticipated in the ODI squad, but two positions are expected to generate debate. The second wicketkeeper berth is under scrutiny: Rishabh Pant's inconsistent run in IPL 2026 has coincided with Ishan Kishan returning to strong form since his recall to the India T20I set-up, strengthening his case for a slot.
The spin-bowling all-rounder role is another live contest, with the choice reportedly narrowing to Axar Patel and Ravindra Jadeja. Both bring distinct skill sets, and the selectors' preference could signal the team's tactical direction heading into a busy international calendar.
What to Watch
With IPL 2026 playoffs still to be concluded, the exact timing of the squad announcement remains fluid. The Afghanistan series, while not a WTC fixture, gives the team management an opportunity to blood new talent and rotate established players — a balancing act that will define the selection committee's choices in the days ahead.
Point of View
No ranking pressure — but the selection decisions carry forward-looking weight. Resting Bumrah here is sensible; the question is whether the selectors use the opportunity to genuinely test new pace options or merely rotate the familiar. Auqib Nabi's 60 Ranji wickets demand a look, but domestic performers have been passed over before when the team management defaults to known quantities. The Pant-versus-Kishan debate in ODIs also reflects a broader uncertainty about India's white-ball wicketkeeper hierarchy that the selectors have so far avoided resolving cleanly.
NationPress
6 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When will India's squad for the Afghanistan Test be announced?
The selection committee is expected to meet next week, though it is not yet confirmed whether the squad will be announced on the day of the meeting or after the IPL 2026 playoffs conclude on 31 May.
Where will the India vs Afghanistan Test be played?
The one-off Test between India and Afghanistan will be played in New Chandigarh from 6 to 10 June. The match falls outside the World Test Championship cycle.
Is Jasprit Bumrah playing the Afghanistan Test?
Bumrah is reportedly being considered for a rest from the one-off Test against Afghanistan as part of workload management ahead of future international assignments. No official confirmation has been made.
Who are Auqib Nabi and Gurnoor Brar?
Auqib Nabi is a pacer from Jammu and Kashmir who was the leading wicket-taker in the Ranji Trophy this season with 60 scalps, helping his state win the title. Gurnoor Brar is another domestic pacer reportedly in contention for a maiden Test call-up. Both are being considered since the Afghanistan Test carries no WTC implications.
Who will be India's second wicketkeeper for the Afghanistan ODIs?
The second wicketkeeper slot is reportedly a contest between Rishabh Pant, who has had an inconsistent IPL 2026, and Ishan Kishan, who has been in strong form since returning to the India T20I set-up.
