India vs Afghanistan Test 2026: Shubman Gill Opts to Bat, Pant Reaches Milestone as Mullanpur Hosts Historic Match

By Thetripurapost Desk, Mullanpur
Jun 06, 2026
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The much-anticipated one-off Test between India(BCCI Fixtures and Match Schedule) and Afghanistan got underway on Saturday at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur, New Chandigarh.

The match marks another significant chapter in India's home Test season and also adds a new venue to the country's expanding Test cricket landscape.

Winning the toss, Indian captain Shubman Gill elected to bat first, expressing confidence in his side's batting unit on a surface expected to assist stroke-makers during the opening sessions.

Early Breakthrough for Afghanistan as Jaiswal Falls

India's innings suffered its first setback shortly before the drinks interval when opener Yashasvi Jaiswal was dismissed for 24 runs. The left-handed batter edged behind the wicket, handing Afghanistan an important early breakthrough.

Despite the wicket, India remained focused on building a substantial first-innings total under the leadership of Gill.

Historic Day for Indian Cricket

The match carries several notable milestones and records.

Young spinner Manav Suthar made his Test debut for India, receiving his maiden cap from senior spinner Kuldeep Yadav. At the same time, wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant achieved a major career landmark by appearing in his 50th Test match for the national side.

India also fielded six left-handed batters in the playing XI, only the third such occurrence in the nation's Test cricket history.

Mullanpur Becomes India's 31st Test Venue

The Maharaja Yadavindra Singh Stadium entered the record books as the 31st venue in India to host a Test match. The addition reflects the continued growth of cricket infrastructure across the country.

The previous new Test venue was Guwahati, which hosted its maiden Test match last year.

First Home Test Without Ashwin and Jadeja in 15 Years

The fixture is particularly notable because India are playing a home Test without veteran spin duo Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja for the first time since November 2010.

The previous instance came during a Test against New Zealand. Since then, India have featured either Ashwin, Jadeja, or both in 69 consecutive home Tests.

India Hold Perfect Record Against Afghanistan

India entered the contest with an unbeaten Test record against Afghanistan. The only previous Test between the two nations was played in Bengaluru in 2018, which also marked Afghanistan's debut appearance in Test cricket.

India emerged victorious in that historic encounter and will be aiming to maintain their flawless record against the Afghan side.

Overall Test Records

India Test Record

Matches Played: 598
Won: 185
Lost: 188
Drawn: 224
Tied: 1

Afghanistan Test Record

Matches Played: 12
Won: 4
Lost: 7
Drawn: 1

Playing XI

India

KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill (Captain), Rishabh Pant (Wicketkeeper), Dhruv Jurel, Washington Sundar, Manav Suthar, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna.

Afghanistan

Sediqullah Atal, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (Wicketkeeper), Abdul Malik, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (Captain), Afsar Zazai, Azmatullah Omarzai, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Nangeyalia Kharote, Ziaur Rahman Sharifi, Mohammad Saleem Safi.

Conclusion

With Shubman Gill leading a youthful Indian side, Rishabh Pant reaching a major milestone, and debutant Manav Suthar making his first Test appearance, the India vs Afghanistan Test at Mullanpur has already produced several talking points. Cricket fans will now be watching closely to see whether India can extend their unbeaten Test record against Afghanistan.

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