IND vs AFG: India's Probable Playing XI For Test Match In Mullanpur

The Indian cricket team has reached Mullanpur, New Chandigarh, to begin their preparations for the upcoming Test match against Afghanistan, which is scheduled to commence on June 6. As the players hit the training grounds, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) shared a video on social media capturing the team's arrival and their initial practice sessions. While the excitement builds for the encounter, the primary focus remains on the composition of the playing eleven, with several key decisions yet to be finalized by the team management.

The Opening Pair and the Number 3 Dilemma

The opening combination for Team India appears to be settled for this fixture. Yashasvi Jaiswal is expected to open the innings alongside KL Rahul. Notably, KL Rahul has been entrusted with the additional responsibility of vice-captaincy for this series. However, the real challenge lies in the number 3 batting position. Over the past few years, the team has experimented with various players at this spot but is yet to find a permanent solution. For the match against Afghanistan, the competition is between Sai Sudharsan and Devdutt Padikkal. Reports suggest that Sai Sudharsan might get the nod over Padikkal. The primary reason for this preference is Sudharsan's impressive performance in the recently concluded Indian Premier League (IPL), where he showed great form. Although Sudharsan has struggled to capitalize on previous opportunities, his current rhythm makes him a strong contender.

Middle Order and All-Rounders

Captain Shubman Gill is set to occupy the number 4 position in the batting order. Since taking over the captaincy, Gill has consistently batted at this spot and has delivered solid performances, while following him, Rishabh Pant is expected to feature in the lineup. While Dhruv Jurel is also part of the squad, the management might play him as a specialist batsman, leaving the wicketkeeping duties to Pant. The all-rounder slots are likely to be filled by Nitish Kumar Reddy and Washington Sundar, providing balance to both the batting and bowling departments.

Bowling Department Challenges

The bowling lineup faces significant hurdles due to injuries and rest. Premier pacer Jasprit Bumrah has been rested for this series to manage his workload. On top of that, Harshit Rana and Akash Deep have not yet achieved full fitness, ruling them out of selection. While Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna are the experienced fast bowlers in the squad, Siraj's fitness is also under a cloud of doubt, making his participation uncertain. In light of these challenges, the BCCI announced on Tuesday that Jammu and Kashmir pacer Auqib Nabi has been included as a net bowler. If Siraj is unable to play, Nabi might receive a call-up, while On top of that, Harsh Dubey and Gurnoor Brar are in the squad, and there is a strong possibility that one of them could make their debut. Kuldeep Yadav is expected to lead the spin attack as the primary specialist spinner.

Probable Playing XI for India

The probable playing eleven for the Test match against Afghanistan includes KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant, Dhruv Jurel, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Prasidh Krishna, Kuldeep Yadav, and Gurnoor Brar.