India And afghanistan They are set to face each other in the one-off Test starting from June 6 in New Chandigarh. While the spotlight will naturally fall on some of the established names in both teams, the match also presents a golden opportunity for several emerging talents to showcase their abilities on the international stage.
This game marks the beginning of an important phase for India world test championship cycle, while Afghanistan will look to continue their impressive rise in the longest format. With both teams having a mix of youth and experience, several players could play a decisive role in determining the outcome of the contest.
Players to keep an eye on in IND vs AFG one-off test
The upcoming one-off Test between India and Afghanistan offers an interesting mix of established performers and emerging talent. While India will rely on some new faces to make a mark at the highest level, Afghanistan have brought back experienced campaigners and exciting match-winners who are capable of challenging any opponent. With conditions helping both seamers and spinners at different stages of the game, these five players could play a decisive role in shaping the outcome of the contest.
1. Gurnoor Brar (India)
One of the most exciting uncapped fast bowlers in the Indian setup, Gurnoor Brar Came into the limelight after a series of impressive domestic performances. The fast bowler from Punjab has steadily built a reputation for producing sharp bounce and maintaining consistent accuracy in red-ball cricket.
Although he did not feature for Gujarat Titans (GT) during ipl 2026Brar’s first-class numbers are hard to ignore. His performances during the 2024–25 domestic season established him as one of the country’s most promising pace prospects. If he gets a chance to make his debut, his ability to exploit seam movement and extract bounce could make him a real threat against Afghanistan’s batting lineup.
2. Harsh Dubey (India)
Harsh Dubey Has shown significant growth in the last year and could be a contender for a Test debut. Left arm spinner was part of Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) During IPL 2026 and impressed with eight wickets in eight matches. However, it is his first-class record that truly stands out. Dubey has already taken 133 wickets in just 27 matches, which includes multiple five-wicket hauls and two ten-wicket match performances. His contribution with the bat has further increased his importance, he has scored over 1,000 first-class runs. Dubey could become a vital weapon for India on a surface that is expected to favor spin as the match progresses.
3. Nitish Kumar Reddy (India)
Nitish Kumar Reddy Coming in with increased confidence after a brilliant IPL 2026 campaign. The all-rounder played a vital role for Sunrisers Hyderabad, scoring valuable runs in the middle order and delivering useful overs with the ball as well. What makes Reddy particularly important in Test cricket is his balance. His ability to contribute in multiple departments gives India additional flexibility in team selection. Against an Afghanistan team known for its spin resources, Reddy’s aggressive approach and medium pace bowling could prove extremely valuable throughout the match.
Also read: BCCI appoints new spin-bowling coach ahead of India’s one-off Test against Afghanistan
4. Rahmat Shah (Afghanistan)
Whenever Afghanistan plays test cricket. Rehmat Shah He remains one of their most reliable batsmen. The experienced right-hander has returned to the Test setup after missing Afghanistan’s previous outing and is expected to man the middle order. Having featured in almost every Test played by Afghanistan, Rahmat brings invaluable experience to a relatively young batting lineup. His patient approach and ability to handle pressure makes him an important figure, especially against India’s quality spin attack led by players like -Kuldeep Yadav and emerging human improvement. If Afghanistan has to challenge India then Rahmat’s performance will be important.
5. Qais Ahmed (Afghanistan)
with Rashid Khan Unavailable for test, extra responsibility will fall on leg spinner Qais Ahmed. Although his Test experience is limited, his first-class record highlights his effectiveness in longer format cricket. Qais has a wide range of variations which can trouble the batsmen. Having gained experience in franchise leagues around the world, he brings confidence and unpredictability to Afghanistan’s bowling attack. If the pitch gets turn later in the game, Cass could emerge as one of the biggest threats to India’s batting unit.
Also read: Irfan Pathan chooses Team India’s bowling attack for the one-off Test against Afghanistan
