India is set to host Afghanistan for a one-off Test match at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh, marking the venue’s inaugural Test match. The match is scheduled to commence on June 6, 2026, at 9:30 AM IST, and will run until June 10, 2026. ([cricbuzz.com](https://www.cricbuzz.com/cricket-news/137938/india-to-play-afghanistan-in-new-chandigarhs-maiden-test-cricbuzzcom?utm_source=openai))
**Afghanistan’s Test Cricket Journey**
Afghanistan’s ascent in international cricket has been remarkable. Since achieving Test status in 2017, they have played 11 Test matches, securing three victories. Their previous Test encounter with India took place in June 2018 at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, marking Afghanistan’s first-ever Test match. ([crictoday.com](https://crictoday.com/cricket/news/india-to-host-afghanistan-for-test-series-and-odi-assignment-in-june-2026/?utm_source=openai))
**India’s Squad for the Test Match**
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced a strong squad for the upcoming Test match. Shubman Gill will lead the team as captain, with KL Rahul serving as the vice-captain. The squad includes:
– Shubman Gill (c)
– KL Rahul (vc)
– Gurnoor Brar
– Harsh Dubey
– Yashasvi Jaiswal
– Dhruv Jurel (wk)
– Prasidh Krishna
– Devdutt Padikkal
– Rishabh Pant (wk)
– Nitish Kumar Reddy
– Sai Sudharsan
– Mohammed Siraj
– Washington Sundar
– Manav Suthar
– Kuldeep Yadav
([timesofsports.com](https://www.timesofsports.com/cricket/schedule/afghanistan-tour-of-india-2026/?utm_source=openai))
**Afghanistan’s Squad for the Test Match**
Afghanistan’s squad for the Test match comprises:
– Hashmatullah Shahidi (c)
– Abdul Malik
– Sediqullah Atal
– Rahmat Shah
– Rahmanullah Gurbaz
– Rahmanullah Zadran
– Afsar Zazai (wk)
– Ikram Alikhil (wk)
– Azmatullah Omarzai
– Sharafudin Ashraf
– Nangyal Kharotai
– Qais Ahmad
– Bilal Sami
– Zia Sharifi
– Saleem Safi
([timesofsports.com](https://www.timesofsports.com/cricket/schedule/afghanistan-tour-of-india-2026/?utm_source=openai))
**Venue Details**
The Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh is set to host its first Test match. The stadium has previously hosted Indian Premier League (IPL) matches, one men’s T20 International, and a couple of women’s One-Day Internationals. This Test match will be a significant milestone for the venue, adding to its growing reputation in the cricketing world. ([cricbuzz.com](https://www.cricbuzz.com/cricket-news/137938/india-to-play-afghanistan-in-new-chandigarhs-maiden-test-cricbuzzcom?utm_source=openai))
**Significance of the Match**
This Test match holds particular importance for India as they continue their transition in the longest format of the game. The team is looking to establish momentum ahead of upcoming assignments in the World Test Championship. Head coach Gautam Gambhir has emphasized that every Test match carries equal value, irrespective of the opponent, and this fixture is seen as a crucial step in building that momentum.
**Afghanistan’s Test Cricket Milestones**
Afghanistan’s journey in Test cricket has been commendable. Since their Test debut in 2018, they have shown significant progress, securing victories against teams like Ireland and Bangladesh. Their upcoming match against India presents an opportunity to further showcase their growth and competitiveness in the longest format of the game. ([crictoday.com](https://crictoday.com/cricket/news/india-to-host-afghanistan-for-test-series-and-odi-assignment-in-june-2026/?utm_source=openai))
**Looking Ahead**
Following the Test match, the series will continue with a three-match One-Day International (ODI) series. The ODI matches are scheduled as follows:
– **1st ODI**: June 14, 2026, at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala.
– **2nd ODI**: June 17, 2026, at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow.
– **3rd ODI**: June 20, 2026, at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.
All three ODIs are set to begin at 1:30 PM IST. ([cricbuzz.com](https://www.cricbuzz.com/cricket-news/137938/india-to-play-afghanistan-in-new-chandigarhs-maiden-test-cricbuzzcom?utm_source=openai))
This series marks a significant chapter in the cricketing calendar, offering fans a chance to witness high-quality cricket and the evolving dynamics between India and Afghanistan.
As the teams prepare for this exciting encounter, all eyes will be on New Chandigarh to see how both sides perform in this historic Test match.
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