New Chandigarh, June 2: The Indian cricket team arrived in New Chandigarh on Tuesday ahead of its one-off Test against Afghanistan, a match that may not carry any World Test Championship (WTC) points but nevertheless holds considerable significance for both teams as they prepare for crucial assignments later this year.
Led by newly-appointed Test captain Shubman Gill, the Indian squad reached the city and checked into its team hotel before beginning preparations for the five-day contest at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur, scheduled to commence on June 6.
The fixture will mark India’s return to red-ball cricket following the conclusion of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 and their first Test appearance since a disappointing 2-0 home series defeat to South Africa. While the match falls outside the ongoing 2025-27 World Test Championship cycle, it is being viewed by team management as a valuable opportunity to rebuild momentum, assess emerging talent and fine-tune combinations ahead of challenging overseas tours to Sri Lanka and New Zealand later this year.
Captain Gill led the contingent arriving in New Chandigarh, with vice-captain KL Rahul, wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant and all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy among the prominent names in the squad. The team is expected to undergo several training sessions in the coming days as preparations intensify for the encounter.
The absence of World Test Championship points has not diminished the importance of the match. Under current ICC regulations, Afghanistan is not one of the nine teams participating in the World Test Championship, meaning matches involving the Asian nation do not contribute to the standings. Furthermore, WTC series are required to consist of at least two Tests, automatically ruling out the one-off fixture from the points system.
As a result, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has used the occasion to rest several senior multi-format stars, including premier fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah and veteran all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, while simultaneously creating opportunities for the next generation of cricketers.
The match is expected to serve as a testing ground for India’s future. Gill will have the chance to strengthen his credentials as the leader of India’s red-ball side, while Rahul begins a new chapter as the team’s designated vice-captain. The squad also features several exciting domestic performers who have earned maiden national call-ups following impressive performances in the domestic circuit.
Left-arm spinner Manav Suthar, pacer Gurnoor Brar and all-rounder Harsh Dubey are among the uncapped players hoping to make a strong impression if given an opportunity. Their inclusion reflects India’s ongoing efforts to build depth and strengthen its bench strength ahead of a demanding international calendar.
Beyond the team selections, the Test carries historic significance for Indian cricket infrastructure. It will be the first-ever Test match hosted at the state-of-the-art Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, a venue regarded as one of the country’s most modern cricket facilities. Hosting an international Test represents a major milestone for the stadium and for cricket in Punjab.
For Afghanistan, the match presents a rare opportunity to measure their progress against one of the world’s strongest Test-playing nations. The fixture comes exactly eight years after Afghanistan played their historic debut Test match against India in Bengaluru in 2018.
On that occasion, India dominated proceedings, securing victory by an innings and 262 runs inside two days.
Since then, Afghanistan has gradually expanded its experience in the longest format and will be eager to demonstrate how far it has progressed under the guidance of head coach Richard Pybus.
Although Afghanistan remains a developing force in Test cricket, the team has produced several impressive performances in recent years and will view the contest as a valuable learning experience against elite opposition.
The match also carries significance from an individual perspective. While no WTC points are on offer, all performances will count towards official ICC Test statistics, player records and international rankings. Every run scored, wicket taken and milestone achieved will become part of cricket’s historical record.
With India seeking to regain confidence after their recent Test setbacks and Afghanistan aiming to continue their development in the format, the Mullanpur encounter promises to offer much more than a routine bilateral fixture.
It marks the beginning of a new leadership phase for India, a landmark occasion for a new Test venue and another important chapter in Afghanistan’s cricketing journey as both sides prepare to write fresh history in New Chandigarh. (Agencies)
