Prince Yadav earns maiden India ODI call-up; LSG owner Goenka says 'just the beginning'
Synopsis
A 16-wicket IPL 2026 campaign was enough to earn Prince Yadav a maiden India ODI call-up — and LSG owner Sanjiv Goenka's very public endorsement on X. With Rohit and Kohli returning and a clutch of debutants in the Test squad, India's Afghanistan series is shaping up as a significant selection statement.
Key Takeaways
Prince Yadav earned his maiden India ODI call-up after claiming 16 wickets for LSG in IPL 2026 .
LSG owner Sanjiv Goenka congratulated Prince on X , calling it 'just the beginning.' India host Afghanistan for a one-off Test from 6 June and a 3-match ODI series from 14–20 June .
Shubman Gill captains both squads; Shreyas Iyer is ODI vice-captain, KL Rahul leads the Test support role.
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli return to the ODI top order; Ravindra Jadeja is rested from the Test.
Test squad includes fresh faces Manav Suthar , Gurnoor Brar , and Harsh Dubey .
Fast bowler Prince Yadav has earned his maiden call-up to the Indian ODI squad for the upcoming three-match series against Afghanistan, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced on Tuesday. The selection follows a standout IPL 2026 campaign with Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), where the right-arm pacer claimed 16 wickets to emerge as one of the season's most impressive bowling talents.
Goenka's Reaction
LSG owner Sanjiv Goenka was quick to celebrate the news, sharing a photograph with the young pacer on X. 'Delighted to see Prince Yadav earn his maiden ODI call-up for India. His rise this IPL season has been a joy to witness. He has the heart, the hunger, and the fearlessness to take on the best. This is just the beginning. Congratulations, Prince. I'm proud of you, and so is LSG. Make India proud,' Goenka wrote.
Prince Yadav's IPL 2026 Campaign
Throughout the IPL 2026 season, Prince impressed with his raw pace, disciplined control, and composure in high-pressure situations, becoming a cornerstone of LSG's bowling unit. His 16 wickets placed him among the tournament's leading pace bowlers, even as the franchise endured an inconsistent run. The call-up marks the culmination of a breakthrough campaign that drew widespread attention from national selectors.
India's ODI and Test Squads Against Afghanistan
India will host Afghanistan for a one-off Test beginning 6 June, followed by the ODI series running from 14 June to 20 June, all to be played in India. Shubman Gill will captain both squads. KL Rahul has been named vice-captain for the Test in place of Rishabh Pant, while Shreyas Iyer will serve as deputy to Gill in the ODIs.
The ODI lineup sees the return of experienced batters Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli at the top of the order, with Ishan Kishan included as the second wicketkeeper. Prince will form part of a pace attack alongside Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, and Gurnoor Brar, with Kuldeep Yadav leading the spin department.
Fresh Faces in the Test Squad
The Test squad features several new inclusions — Manav Suthar, Gurnoor Brar, and Harsh Dubey — signalling a continued focus on blooding younger talent. Senior all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja has been rested from the longer-format fixture. Notably, this is the second consecutive series in which selectors have used an Afghanistan assignment to experiment with fringe players, a pattern that reflects the BCCI's intent to build squad depth ahead of a packed international calendar.
What's Next
All eyes will be on Prince's debut performance as India look to use the Afghanistan series to firm up their ODI combination. His selection, alongside other emerging pacers, suggests selectors are actively preparing a conveyor belt of fast-bowling options for future assignments.
Point of View
But the broader squad tells a more deliberate story. Selectors are using the Afghanistan series — historically a low-stakes assignment — as a controlled environment to stress-test depth across formats. The return of Rohit and Kohli alongside untested pacers creates an unusual mix that raises questions about whether this is a development exercise or a genuine competitive squad. Jadeja's rest, combined with multiple Test debutants, suggests the BCCI is prioritising workload management and succession planning simultaneously. Whether these fringe players convert opportunity into permanence will define India's fast-bowling pipeline heading into the next ICC cycle.
NationPress
6 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Prince Yadav selected for India's ODI squad?
Prince Yadav was selected after an impressive IPL 2026 season in which he claimed 16 wickets for Lucknow Super Giants, showcasing pace, control, and composure under pressure. His consistent performances throughout the tournament attracted the attention of national selectors.
When does the India vs Afghanistan ODI series begin?
The three-match ODI series begins on 14 June and runs until 20 June, all to be played in India. It is preceded by a one-off Test starting 6 June.
Who is captaining India for the Afghanistan series?
Shubman Gill will captain India in both the Test and ODI formats. KL Rahul is vice-captain for the Test, while Shreyas Iyer serves as Gill's deputy in the ODIs.
Who are the other new faces in India's Test squad for the Afghanistan series?
The Test squad includes Manav Suthar, Gurnoor Brar, and Harsh Dubey as fresh inclusions. Senior all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja has been rested from the fixture.
What did LSG owner Sanjiv Goenka say about Prince Yadav's call-up?
Goenka shared a photograph with Prince on X and wrote that he was 'delighted' by the call-up, adding that Prince has 'the heart, the hunger, and the fearlessness to take on the best' and calling the selection 'just the beginning.'
