The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially announced the Indian squads for the upcoming home series against Afghanistan, scheduled to begin on June 6, 2026. Coming fresh off the back of a triumphant Men's T20 World Cup 2026 campaign and a grueling domestic season, the selectors have opted for a fine balance of experience and youth.
The bilateral assignment features a one-off Test match in New Chandigarh followed by a three-match One Day International (ODI) series played across Dharamsala, Lucknow, and Chennai.
Major Senior Exclusions and Dynamic Leadership Updates
In a significant workload management move, India's ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah and veteran all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja have been rested for the entire series.
Shubman Gill continues his ascendancy in Indian cricket leadership, being named the captain for both the Test and ODI squads. Meanwhile, there is a prominent shake-up in the leadership hierarchy:
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Test Vice-Captaincy: KL Rahul has replaced Rishabh Pant as the vice-captain for the one-off Test match.
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ODI Vice-Captaincy: Shreyas Iyer makes a roaring comeback to the ODI framework and will serve as Gill’s deputy.
Note on Fitness: Senior stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have been named in the ODI squad, though the final participation of Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya remains subject to securing complete fitness clearance from the BCCI medical team.
Big Return: Ishan Kishan Back in the ODI Mix
A major talking point of this selection is the return of Ishan Kishan to the 50-over international fold. Following exceptional performances in the domestic circuit and IPL 2026, the explosive wicketkeeper-batsman has been preferred over Sanju Samson as a backup keeper behind KL Rahul. Rishabh Pant, on the other hand, has been rested/dropped from the ODI leg but remains the frontline gloveman for the longest format.
Fresh Blood: Maiden Call-ups for Emerging Talents
Rewarding strong performances in domestic cricket and the recently concluded IPL, the senior selection committee has integrated multiple fresh faces into the national setup:
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Manav Suthar: The talented spinner has earned his maiden international call-up exclusively in the Test squad.
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Prince Yadav: The emerging star has broken into the Indian team for the first time, landing a spot in the ODI squad.
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Gurnoor Brar & Harsh Dubey: Both young bowlers have made a stellar impression on the selectors, earning call-ups across both formats (Dubey and Brar features in both Test and ODI rosters).
