Afghanistan all-rounder Rashid Khan has signalled that he could miss the upcoming one-off Test against India in June 2026, citing ongoing workload management after back surgery. The 27-year-old, who is currently balancing duties across formats, is weighing the short-term appeal of playing red-ball cricket in India against the long-term goal of staying fit for future international competitions.
Medical advice, workload and the red-ball question
- Rashid underwent lower-back surgery following the 2023 ODI World Cup and has been working to manage his return and recovery since then.
- He says doctors have advised him to avoid red-ball cricket, warning that the demands of the longest format could pose a serious risk to his recovery.
- Speaking after Gujarat Titans’ win over Delhi Capitals in IPL 2026, Rashid described the decision as a difficult one and underlined that medical guidance is the first factor he was given.
- Even with that advice, he did play a Test against Zimbabwe last year, bowling 54 overs and taking 11 wickets, underlining both his value to Afghanistan and the physical strain involved.
Why white-ball cricket looks like the priority
The leg-spinner has suggested that he is better suited—physically and rhythmically—to continuing in shorter formats, particularly ODIs. He stated that he enjoys ODI cricket and believes he can remain in good shape to play for longer, but added that careful workload management is essential if he wants a sustained career.
Rashid also pointed to Afghanistan’s relatively limited number of Test fixtures since the team gained Test status in 2017—just 12 matches in total. With fewer opportunities in the format, he implied that it is more sensible to focus on career longevity rather than making sporadic appearances in the longest version of the game.
When asked directly about the India Test, he remained cautious and non-committal, saying he will take things step by step and prioritise preparation for the World Cup. He also warned that if his back were to flare up during that Test, it could have consequences for his broader career plans.
India vs Afghanistan Test: dates and venue
India will host Afghanistan for a one-off Test from June 6 to June 10, 2026, at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur (New Chandigarh). The fixture is scheduled to kick off Afghanistan’s multi-format tour of India, and it will not be part of the ICC World Test Championship 2025–27 cycle.
