India are set to fine-tune their preparations for a demanding World Test Championship phase, with Shubman Gill captaining a side that will face Afghanistan in a one-off Test in Mullanpur on Saturday. Although the clash will not count toward the WTC standings, it offers a sharp opportunity to trial combinations and roles ahead of the longer-format grind.
The match will also mark India’s return to Test cricket after a gap since their series against South Africa in November. With the timing coming immediately after the IPL 2026 final on Sunday, the workload and transition back to the red-ball game will be a stern early test for several players.
Quick facts
- Fixture: India vs Afghanistan (one-off Test)
- Venue: Mullanpur
- Date: Saturday
- WTC impact: Not part of the World Test Championship cycle
- India captain: Shubman Gill
- Expected top-order: KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal as openers; Sai Sudharsan at No. 3
- Keep wicket: Rishabh Pant expected to play
- Fast bowling: Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna
- Spin: Kuldeep Yadav as the specialist spinner
- Possible debut: Harsh Dubey or Manav Suthar
- Not available: Ravindra Jadeja and Jasprit Bumrah
India’s XI is expected to be reshaped by the absence of Ravindra Jadeja and Jasprit Bumrah, while at least one debutant is anticipated to be introduced on Saturday. The selection challenge is heightened by the fact that eight members of the squad were involved in the IPL 2026 final on Sunday, meaning freshness and rhythm will both be key.
KL Rahul is expected to take his place at the top of the order alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal. Sai Sudharsan is then projected to bat at No. 3, with the batting order designed to balance stability with momentum through the middle overs of each innings.
Gautam Gambhir has backed Sudharsan strongly, signalling that he should be preferred over Devdutt Padikkal. The message was clear: Sudharsan has not been afforded a fully fair run, particularly with his involvement having been largely tied to England, and that he now needs an opportunity that can allow him to settle and show his full range.
At No. 4, Gill—fresh from a standout campaign with Gujarat Titans in the recently completed IPL 2026—will look to provide the anchor-and-acceleration role for India. Rishabh Pant is expected to be the wicket-keeper, and despite the discussion around his removal from the vice-captaincy, it is considered unlikely that Dhruv Jurel would be chosen over him for this match.
All-round options and bowling plan
In the all-round department, Washington Sundar and Nitish Kumar Reddy are expected to shoulder significant responsibility for India. The intent appears to be to maintain flexibility in the batting while also adding depth and variety to the bowling attack.
For the pace duties, Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna are likely to lead the frontline. Kuldeep Yadav is set to be the specialist spinner, bringing India’s spin options into a focused match-up plan, while either Harsh Dubey or Manav Suthar is expected to get the debut call.
Predicted India XI for the one-off Test vs Afghanistan: KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant, Washington Sundar, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Harsh Dubey / Manav Suthar, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna.
