The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced the Indian squads for the upcoming series against Afghanistan, with young opener Shubman Gill set to lead the side in both the one-off Test and the three-match ODI series. The tour, scheduled for June 2026, is expected to provide a strong platform for India’s emerging players while also bringing back several experienced names into the national setup.

The selectors have opted for a balanced squad that combines senior stars with promising young talents. In the ODI squad, experienced players Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have been included, subject to fitness clearance, while all-rounder Hardik Pandya and middle-order batter Shreyas Iyer also return to strengthen the lineup.

The Test squad features several regular performers including Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant and Kuldeep Yadav. KL Rahul has been named vice-captain for the Test match, providing additional leadership support to Gill. The selectors have also rewarded a few emerging domestic performers with maiden national call-ups, highlighting India’s focus on grooming future stars.

Among the new faces in the squads are Harsh Dubey, Gurnoor Brar and Prince Yadav, whose recent performances in domestic cricket and the IPL reportedly impressed the selection committee. Their inclusion is being viewed as part of India’s long-term planning ahead of future international tournaments.

The ODI squad selection has also sparked debate among cricket followers after wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan was preferred over Sanju Samson. While some fans questioned the decision, the team management is believed to have prioritised squad balance and recent form while making the final selections.

Afghanistan, meanwhile, will enter the series under the leadership of Hashmatullah Shahidi. The visitors are expected to rely heavily on their experienced match-winners including Rashid Khan and Rahmanullah Gurbaz. Afghanistan’s steady rise in international cricket has made them a competitive side across formats, and the team will be eager to challenge India in home conditions.

The series will begin with the one-off Test match in New Chandigarh before the teams move into the ODI leg of the tour. The limited-overs matches are scheduled to be played in Dharamshala, Lucknow and Chennai.

Cricket fans are particularly excited to watch Shubman Gill take charge of the Indian team once again. The young batter has already shown leadership potential in recent assignments, and this series is expected to be another important chapter in his captaincy journey.

With a blend of experienced campaigners and rising talents, India will aim to continue their dominance at home, while Afghanistan will look to prove their growing strength on the international stage.

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