India and Afghanistan are set to meet in a one-off Test match as part of Afghanistan’s Tour of India 2026. The match will be played at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh (Mullanpur) and marks Afghanistan’s latest opportunity to challenge one of the strongest Test sides in world cricket.
With Shubman Gill leading the Indian Test side and Hashmatullah Shahidi expected to captain Afghanistan, fans can look forward to an interesting contest between experienced stars and emerging talents.
India vs Afghanistan 1st Test 2026 Match Details
| Match | India vs Afghanistan |
|---|---|
| Format | Test Match |
| Date | 6 June 2026 |
| Venue | Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur, New Chandigarh |
| Start Time | 9:30 AM IST |
| Series | Afghanistan Tour of India 2026 |
The one-off Test will begin on June 6 and continue until June 10 if all five days are required.
India vs Afghanistan Test Match Time
- Toss: 9:00 AM IST (Expected)
- Match Start: 9:30 AM IST
- Session Timings: As per standard Test cricket schedule
India vs Afghanistan Live Streaming and Telecast
The official broadcaster details are expected to be confirmed closer to match day. Indian cricket matches are generally available through major sports television networks and streaming platforms.
Loading ...Fans should watch for official announcements from the BCCI and broadcasters regarding:
- India vs Afghanistan Test live streaming
- India vs Afghanistan telecast channel
- Mobile streaming options
- Regional language coverage
India Probable Playing XI
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
- KL Rahul
- Shubman Gill (Captain)
- Sai Sudharsan
- Sarfaraz Khan
- Rishabh Pant (WK)
- Washington Sundar
- Harsh Dubey
- Kuldeep Yadav
- Prasidh Krishna
- Arshdeep Singh
Afghanistan Probable Playing XI
- Ibrahim Zadran
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz
- Rahmat Shah
- Hashmatullah Shahidi (Captain)
- Afsar Zazai (WK)
- Azmatullah Omarzai
- Gulbadin Naib
- Rashid Khan
- Noor Ahmad
- Naveed Zadran
- Nijat Masood
Players to Watch
Shubman Gill
India’s Test captain will be under the spotlight as he leads a relatively fresh-looking side against Afghanistan.
Rishabh Pant
Pant remains one of the most dangerous wicketkeeper-batters in world cricket and can change a Test match within a single session.
Rashid Khan
Although Afghanistan may start as underdogs, Rashid Khan remains their biggest match-winner in any format.
Ibrahim Zadran
The technically sound opener could play a crucial role if Afghanistan hopes to post competitive totals.
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India vs Afghanistan Head-to-Head Test Record
| Matches | India Won | Afghanistan Won | Drawn |
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
India defeated Afghanistan by an innings in their first-ever Test meeting in Bengaluru in 2018.
Pitch Report
The Mullanpur surface has generally offered:
- Good pace and bounce early on
- Assistance for seamers during the first session
- Better batting conditions on Days 2 and 3
- Increasing help for spinners as the match progresses
Captains winning the toss may prefer to bat first and put runs on the board.
Weather Report
Early forecasts suggest warm conditions throughout the Test match. Players may need to manage long sessions in the heat, while bowlers could find assistance during morning periods.
A final weather update should be checked closer to the start of play.
Recent Form and Team News
India enter the Test after lifting the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 and are expected to use the Afghanistan series to test several players. Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja have been rested, while a number of young players have earned opportunities. KL Rahul has been named vice-captain for the Test side.
Afghanistan continue to strengthen their Test cricket programme and will rely heavily on experienced names such as Rashid Khan, Hashmatullah Shahidi and Rahmat Shah.
Prediction
India start as overwhelming favourites due to home conditions, squad depth and Test experience.
Prediction:
- India win probability: 85%
- Afghanistan win probability: 10%
- Draw probability: 5%
The key battle could be India’s top order against Afghanistan’s spin attack led by Rashid Khan.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the India vs Afghanistan 1st Test 2026?
The match starts on 6 June 2026 in New Chandigarh.
What time does India vs Afghanistan Test start?
The match is scheduled to begin at 9:30 AM IST.
Where is India vs Afghanistan 1st Test being played?
The venue is Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur, New Chandigarh.
Who is captaining India in the Test match?
Shubman Gill is leading India’s Test squad for the Afghanistan Test.
Where can I watch India vs Afghanistan live streaming?
Official broadcaster and streaming details are expected to be confirmed before the match begins.
