India and Afghanistan are set to lock horns in a one-off Take a look at starting on June 6 in New Chandigarh. Whereas the focus will naturally fall on among the established names in each squads, the match additionally presents a golden alternative for a number of rising abilities to showcase their talents on the worldwide stage.
For India, the sport marks the start of an essential part within the World Take a look at Championship cycle, whereas Afghanistan will look to proceed their spectacular progress within the longest format. With each groups that includes a mix of youth and expertise, a number of gamers might play defining roles in figuring out the end result of the competition.
Gamers to be careful for in IND vs AFG one-off Take a look at
The upcoming one-off Take a look at between India and Afghanistan presents an intriguing mixture of established performers and rising abilities. Whereas India will depend on just a few contemporary faces seeking to make a mark on the highest stage, Afghanistan have introduced again skilled campaigners and thrilling match-winners able to difficult any opposition. With circumstances more likely to help each seamers and spinners at totally different levels of the sport, these 5 gamers might play a decisive function in shaping the end result of the competition.
1. Gurnoor Brar (India)
One of the crucial thrilling uncapped quick bowlers within the Indian setup, Gurnoor Brar enters the highlight after a sequence of spectacular home performances. The Punjab seamer has steadily constructed a status for producing steep bounce and sustaining relentless accuracy in red-ball cricket.
Though he didn’t characteristic for Gujarat Titans (GT) throughout IPL 2026, Brar’s first-class numbers have been laborious to disregard. His performances through the 2024-25 home season established him as one of many nation’s most promising tempo prospects. If handed a debut, his skill to use seam motion and extract bounce might make him a real risk in opposition to Afghanistan’s batting lineup.
2. Harsh Dubey (India)
Harsh Dubey has loved a outstanding rise over the previous 12 months and might be in competition for a Take a look at debut. The left-arm spinner was a part of Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) throughout IPL 2026 and impressed with eight wickets in eight matches. Nevertheless, it’s his first-class document that actually stands out. Dubey has already collected 133 wickets in simply 27 matches, together with a number of five-wicket hauls and two ten-wicket match performances. His contribution with the bat additional enhances his worth, having scored greater than 1,000 first-class runs. On a floor anticipated to help spin because the match progresses, Dubey might grow to be a vital weapon for India.
3. Nitish Kumar Reddy (India)
Nitish Kumar Reddy arrives with rising confidence after a wonderful IPL 2026 marketing campaign. The all-rounder performed an important function for Sunrisers Hyderabad, contributing helpful runs within the center order whereas additionally offering helpful overs with the ball. What makes Reddy significantly essential in Take a look at cricket is his steadiness. His skill to contribute in a number of departments provides India further flexibility in crew choice. In opposition to an Afghanistan aspect identified for its spin assets, Reddy’s attacking strategy and medium-pace bowling might show extraordinarily helpful all through the match.
Additionally READ: BCCI appoints new spin-bowling coach ahead of India’s one-off Test against Afghanistan
4. Rahmat Shah (Afghanistan)
At any time when Afghanistan play Take a look at cricket, Rahmat Shah stays one among their most reliable batters. The skilled right-hander returns to the Take a look at setup after lacking Afghanistan’s earlier outing and is predicted to anchor the center order. Having featured in virtually each Take a look at Afghanistan has performed, Rahmat brings invaluable expertise to a comparatively younger batting lineup. His affected person strategy and talent to soak up strain make him a key determine, particularly in opposition to India’s high quality spin assault led by gamers reminiscent of Kuldeep Yadav and the rising Manav Suthar. If Afghanistan are to problem India, Rahmat’s efficiency shall be important.
5. Qais Ahmad (Afghanistan)
With Rashid Khan unavailable for the Take a look at, further duty will fall on leg-spinner Qais Ahmad. Though his Take a look at expertise stays restricted, his first-class document highlights his effectiveness in longer-format cricket. Qais possesses a variety of variations that may bother batters. Having gained expertise throughout franchise leagues around the globe, he brings confidence and unpredictability to Afghanistan’s bowling assault. If the pitch affords flip later within the recreation, Qais might emerge as one of many greatest threats to India’s batting unit.
Additionally READ: Irfan Pathan picks Team India’s bowling attack for the one-off Test against Afghanistan
