Overview
- Gautam Gambhir confirmed on June 5 that Shubman Gill will captain India and KL Rahul will serve as vice‑captain for the one‑off Test against Afghanistan.
- Gambhir said Sai Sudharsan will retain the contested No. 3 slot and be given a longer run despite modest early Test returns.
- Kuldeep Yadav is expected to lead the spin attack and one left‑arm spin all‑rounder, either Harsh Dubey or Manav Suthar, is likely to make his Test debut as part of plans to build spin depth.
- The match, New Chandigarh’s first men’s Test and not part of the World Test Championship, follows a rapid switch from IPL white‑ball cricket and forces India to manage quick workload and preparation changes.
- The selections form part of a wider transition after several senior retirements and recent home defeats and include role changes such as Rishabh Pant being relieved of the vice‑captaincy to ease performance pressure.