How could India line up against Afghanistan in Test? No Sai Sudharsan, debut for Gurnoor Brar likely

Team India play only Test against Afghanistan from June 4 in Mullanpur, and it would be interesting to see, what XI they go with.

Criticise the Indian Test squad for the Afghanistan series, as much as you want, but the reality won’t change now; a certain top contenders like Sarfaraz Khan, and Auqib Nabi have been left out, and the 15 looks ready for the opponents. Now, the next question that arises is, who comes in the playing XI?

Workload management is a real concern for the players participating in IPL 2026, and there is a chance, since this encounter isn’t part of the WTC cycle, maybe the team management can hand out a couple of debut caps to players — if not more. And in serious contention would first-timers, pacer Gurnoor Brar, and spinner Manav Suthar and Harsh Dubey.

There could be changes expected in the batting too; and let us just admit, it will be a high-tension battle for the no. 3 spot between Sai Sudharsan and Devdutt Padikkal. To discuss all there, and more, InsideSport takes a look at the predicted India XI for the one-off Afghanistan Test.

No change in opening combo

KL Rahul: The right-hander averages only 35 in Tests, but last one year has established him as the prime opener in Tests. KL Rahul, in 10 matches in 2025 scored 813 runs at an average of 45, including three tons and as many fifties. Such assuring has been his performance, that he has been elevated to the position on vice-captain in the side.

Yashasvi Jaiswal: Let us just call him the best Indian batter in the format. In 28 matches, he has scored 2511 runs at an average of close to 50. But some amends need to be made. Last year wasn’t smooth as he averaged 39. This is the first setback in his international career, that he needs to overcome.

Sai Sudharsan vs Devdutt Padikkal

Devdutt Padikkal: Ever since Pujara is gone, India have been struggling to get a long-time no. 3. That spot, since last year was Sai Sudharsan’s. But 302 runs in 6 matches, at an average of 27, just doesn’t sit right. For this encounter only, the spot might just fall in the hands of Devdutt Padikkal. In the 6 matches of Ranji Trophy this year, he scored 543 runs at an average of 60.

What also could be a key consideration is current form; both players are playing in the IPL. As per the batting leaderboard, Sai Su has 554 runs in 13 matches, while Padikkal has 412 in 13. These scores could just come into play. But for now, Padikkal looks like the one inching ahead.

Shubman Gill: The skipper of the side stays at No. 4. He seems to have found his place in the Test side, since he scored over 700 runs in the England series. He averaged 70 in the past one year, with 5 tons and 1 fifty.

Indian keeper-batters, backbone of middle-order

Rishabh Pant: Don’t judge him on the basis of what he is doing/not doing in the IPL. He is a thinking cricketer when it comes to Test matches. He gets the hard runs lower-down the order, builds partnerships, and scores at a rapid pace. More importantly, he is unpredictable. He will play shots that no one expects him to. Had a decent last year, averaging close to 48, scoring over 600 runs.

India predicted XI for Afghanistan Test: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul (vice-captain), Devdutt Padikkal, Shubman Gill (Captain), Rishabh Pant (wicket-keeper), Dhruv Jurel, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Manav Suthar, Gurnoor Brar, Prasidh Krishna.

Dhruv Jurel: Don’t ask why should the team have two keepers in the XI. Jurel looks a solid batter in this line-up. IN a team that struggles to negotiate spin, he seems to be good at it. Out of his 459 runs in Tests, 296 have come against spinners. Yes, 8 of his dismissals have been against the slower bowlers, but he has shown the tenacity to stick around, when spinners are operating.

The all-rounders

Washington Sundar: It is just unfortunate that Washi has not played more Tests, not scored more runs, and picked more wickets. He is the kind of player that suits Team India; bats at any position, bowls in the worst of times, when wickets are not coming. With Ravindra Jadeja and Axar not around, he is an automatic pick.

Nitish Kumar Reddy: He hasn’t done enough to be/retain his place in the XI. But then, being a fast-bowling all-rounder in India, has a few perks. For that very reason, he makes it to the team for the Test. Last year he averaged 11 with the bat, and 43 with the ball. But it is all about the resources that the team has.

The debutants and the pace spearhead

Manav Suthar: One feels, Kuldeep Yadav will be overlooked for this only Test. The Indian management for long, hasn’t shown faith in wrist spinners, plus his form is questionable as well. Now, the choice comes between Manav and Harsh Dubey. Perhaps Manav, since he is a good turner of the ball. But statistically speaking, there isn’t much that separates him and Dubey. Their FC records are also identical.

Gurnoor Brar: The Punjab pacer. 6’5, Brar is looked as replacement for Ishant Sharma. His FC record is decent, where he has picked up 52 wickets in 18 matches. If the selectors didn’t opt for popular choice Auqib Nabi, and went for him, there must be a reason why. And now the time has come, that entire country gets that answer too.

Prasidh Krishna: Why not Siraj? The simple reason being — the Hyderabad pacer has been playing non-stop cricket. He was a late replacement for Harshit Rana in the T20 World Cup, and then now is plying his trade for GT in IPL. Although a workhorse, BCCI wouldn’t want to risk him.

Prasidh has improved leaps and bounds in the format. in 6 matches he has 22 wickets; economy is on the higher side at 4.72. But he’ll improve, and is leader of the pace attack.