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The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will announce the squad for India’s one-off Test match against Afghanistan. This match is important as it is going to be part of the World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle.
The Afghanistan cricket team is placed at the bottom of the ICC Test rankings, but that does not mean that the Ajit Agarkar-led selection panel is going to select a completely new team for the match. Before announcing the team, the selection panel keeps assessing many things including the form and workload management of the players.
Jasprit Bumrah may skip the only test between India and Afghanistan
It was earlier reported that due to workload management, fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah is likely to be rested, while the batting unit is likely to remain unchanged except for a few spots. According to previous reports, the selectors may take a bold decision for the number three batting position. A major reshuffle can be made in the bowling department.
Like Jasprit Bumrah, a final decision is yet to be taken on Mohammed Siraj, another fast bowler who has featured in back-to-back Tests ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup. The latest report from Times of India indicates that the selectors might have thought extensively about the spin bowling all-rounder department as well.
Ravindra Jadeja vs Akshar Patel
Since the Test match will be played in the scorching heat of June in Himachal Pradesh, the spinners could play a vital role in deciding the fate of the contest. For the spin bowling department, there is Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel, both of whom are proven in their own right. Will the board choose both of them or either Jadeja or Patel? This is a subject of debate. “
Still, will it be Jadeja or Axar Patel? or someone else? No one can guess at this point, but discussions regarding this slot are certain to take place,” according to the report.
Ishan Kishan or Rishabh Pant?
Who will be the backup keeper for the team? This is another question. KL Rahul, who has been in good form in the Indian Premier League and has also been performing consistently for Team India, is likely to be named for the one-off Test. Rahul can be the first choice keeper-batsman.
If the selection panel chooses KL as its first choice keeper-batsman, who will be second, Rishabh Pant or Ishan Kishan? In terms of experience, Pant is far ahead of Ishan Kishan. But in terms of recent performance, Ishan is ahead of Kishan Pant. The Jharkhand cricket team captain’s leadership proved influential for India’s T20 World Cup campaign.
Even in the current IPL 2026 season, Ishan Kishan is performing well for Sunrisers Hyderabad. On the other hand, keeper-batsman and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) captain Rishabh Pant is far from his best.
The report read, “Rishabh Pant has been a part of the set-up, but due to inconsistent returns with the bat in the IPL, he has been out of the team. Ishan Kishan’s stock has been on the rise since his return in T20, so it would not be a surprise if he gets a chance.”
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