India have named their squads for the forthcoming tour of Afghanistan, keeping much of the foundation from the team’s earlier Test and ODI selections while still making several targeted changes. The biggest theme across formats is workload management, with key players rested in both squads and fresh talent given an opportunity to stake a claim. With Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli remaining part of the ODI group, and with Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja sitting out the tour, the spotlight now falls on the additions that could shape India’s balance in Afghanistan.
ODI squad: returns, recalls and workload calls
In the ODI setup, Ishan Kishan comes back into the reckoning after strong domestic performances and momentum carried from his involvement around the T20 World Cup selection cycle. With Rishabh Pant not included for the Afghanistan ODIs, Kishan slots into the group as the additional wicketkeeping option alongside KL Rahul.
- Ishan Kishan returns to the ODI squad, bringing domestic form and the carry-over of T20 World Cup selection momentum.
- Rishabh Pant is left out of the ODI squad for Afghanistan.
- KL Rahul is retained in the wicketkeeping mix, with Kishan added as the extra option.
Hardik Pandya is also back in the ODI group, though his participation is still tied to fitness clearance. India have also been without a frontline pace-bowling all-rounder since the 2025 Champions Trophy, making Pandya’s availability an important factor for the tour.
New faces in the ODI squad
Among the most notable headlines is Prince Yadav’s first call-up to India. The Lucknow Super Giants pacer has impressed selectors through his IPL 2026 performances, with particular emphasis on his pace and his ability to bowl hard-length deliveries.
- Prince Yadav earns his maiden India ODI call-up, highlighted by IPL 2026 performances for Lucknow Super Giants.
- Gurnoor Brar also features in the ODI squad, with his selection reflecting India’s continued focus on building fast-bowling depth.
Gurnoor Brar’s inclusion is linked to India’s efforts to probe their pace resources, particularly with Harshit Rana currently unavailable due to injury. Harsh Dubey, meanwhile, has made enough of an impact in domestic cricket to earn a place across both formats, with his rise also aligning with India’s broader push to widen their all-round options.
Who has been left out of the ODI group
Several key absences stand out from the ODI squad. Ravindra Jadeja has been rested for the Afghanistan tour. Rishabh Pant, previously withdrawn from India’s ODI squad against New Zealand due to an injury picked up during practice, does not find a spot in the current selection either. Ayush Badoni—part of the ODI squad against New Zealand earlier this year—has also been left out.
- Ravindra Jadeja is rested for the Afghanistan ODI tour.
- Rishabh Pant remains out after his earlier injury-related withdrawal during practice against New Zealand.
- Ayush Badoni is not selected for the Afghanistan ODIs.
- Yashasvi Jaiswal, though part of the previous ODI squad, does not feature in the Afghanistan ODI setup.
- Dhruv Jurel also misses out from the ODI squad.
- Mohammed Siraj, who appeared in the New Zealand ODI series, is not included for Afghanistan.
- Harshit Rana loses his place from the previous ODI squad.
Test squad: leadership return and pace reinforcements
The Test squad brings back Shubman Gill, who had withdrawn after the opening Test against South Africa due to injury. Gill will captain India in the one-off Test against Afghanistan.
With Jasprit Bumrah rested for the Afghanistan tour, India have added players to strengthen the pace department. Prasidh Krishna is among the new inclusions, bringing additional fire to India’s bowling attack. Alongside him, Gurnoor Brar has been selected for the Test setup as well, and spinner Manav Suthar earns his place too, as India continue investing in younger options for the red-ball format.
- Shubman Gill returns after withdrawing from the first Test vs South Africa and is named captain for the one-off Afghanistan Test.
- Prasidh Krishna is added to bolster India’s pace attack in Bumrah’s absence.
- Gurnoor Brar joins the Test squad, continuing his inclusion across formats.
- Manav Suthar is selected as India broaden their younger red-ball resources.
- Harsh Dubey is also included in the Test squad, continuing his rapid rise.
Workload management: rested stars and missing names
Workload management remains central to the Test selection too. Jasprit Bumrah is rested, and Ravindra Jadeja is also absent from the Test setup. Axar Patel, who was part of India’s last Test squad against South Africa, does not make the Afghanistan Test XI selection. Akash Deep is likewise left out from the current Test group.
- Jasprit Bumrah is rested for the Afghanistan Test tour.
- Ravindra Jadeja is also missing from the Test setup.
- Axar Patel does not feature after being part of the South Africa Test squad.
- Akash Deep is not included in the current Test selection.
With key senior bowlers managed and with new pace and spin options coming into both squads, India’s Afghanistan tour selections signal a blend of continuity and experimentation—aimed at keeping performance high while also building depth across the formats.
