The BCCI is all set to announce India's squad for the upcoming multi-format series against Afghanistan, which features a standalone Test match alongside three ODIs. Marking the team's next major assignment immediately following the conclusion of the IPL season on May 31, the series is scheduled to kick off next month. BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia recently confirmed that the selection committee is slated to meet on May 19 to officially finalise the rosters for both formats.
India's Test, ODI squads for Afghanistan series to be announced on May 19
This upcoming series arrives at a critical juncture for the national side. While the Indian team has enjoyed exceptional success in white-ball cricket under the guidance of head coach Gautam Gambhir, their recent form in the longest format has been a cause for concern. India has struggled significantly against major red-ball sides, enduring three Test series losses over the past two years.
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This rough patch includes two particularly bruising defeats on home soil, where they suffered consecutive clean sweeps—first against New Zealand in 2024, followed by another at the hands of South Africa in 2025. The upcoming fixtures will provide a vital opportunity for the team to recalibrate and find their footing in Test cricket moving forward.
"The selection committee will meet on May 19 to pick the Indian team for the home series against Afghanistan," BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia told TOI.
Afghanistan has enjoyed a highly successful run across both white-ball formats of late. After a historic semi-final finish at the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup, they carried that momentum forward into the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup, playing a very high brand of cricket. This sustained success builds heavily on their promising and memorable campaign during the 2023 Cricket World Cup in India.
The team's upcoming tour of India is slotted right after the IPL ends, kicking off on June 6 with a one-off Test match at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in New Mullanpur, Chandigarh. Running until June 10th, this red-ball fixture will not be a part of the ICC World Test Championship cycle for India.
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Immediately following the Test match, India will host Afghanistan for a three-match ODI series, which officially signals the start of India's long-term preparations for the 2027 ODI World Cup. The three games are scheduled for June 14, 17, and 20, to be played at the picturesque venues of Dharamshala, Lucknow, and Chennai, respectively.
As selectors finalise the rosters, fans can expect to see superstars like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli back in action for the 50-over format. However, with a grueling white-ball tour of England looming on the horizon, the selection committee is strongly expected to inject several fresh faces into the squad.
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Following standout performances in the domestic circuit and the IPL, young batting talents like Devdutt Padikkal, Sai Sudharsan, Rajat Patidar, and Angkrish Raghuvanshi are firmly in the mix. They are being heavily backed to earn spots in the Test side while also being considered as dependable backups for the ODI team. The bowling department will see intense competition as a highly in-form pack of pacers looks to impress. With frontline weapons like Mohammed Shami returning to action alongside consistently fast and remarkably disciplined seamers like Anshul Kamboj, Kartik Tyagi, and Prince Yadav, the selectors will have an exciting array of talent to shape India's bowling attack.