The one-off Test against Afghanistan presents a rare opportunity for India’s team management to experiment with its bowling combination. With senior stars Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja rested, head coach Gautam Gambhir and his support staff have the chance to assess some of the fresh faces included in the squad.
One of the players in focus is tall left-arm pacer Gurnoor Brar, who has been drafted in to support Mohammed Siraj, India’s pace spearhead for the fixture. In the spin department, Washington Sundar and Kuldeep Yadav remain the experienced options, while the battle for a place in the XI appears to be between uncapped left-arm spinners Manav Suthar and Harsh Dubey.
If Gurnoor earns a place in the playing XI, Prasidh Krishna is likely to miss out. Similarly, only one among Suthar and Dubey is expected to make his debut against Afghanistan in Mullanpur. More importantly, the spinner who gets the nod could find himself on the flight to Sri Lanka in August for a two-Test series that forms part of the ICC World Test Championship.
While Gambhir stopped short of revealing India’s next Test debutant, he made it clear that the Afghanistan Test could serve as an audition for a long-term role in the squad.
“To a certain extent, they are similar, but there are also differences. You look at their release points, what they get off the surface, their trajectories and who is better suited to red-ball cricket,” Gambhir said.
“This is probably the only Test where we can look at trying someone as a fourth spinner. We have a tour of Sri Lanka coming up where we may need to carry four spinners. So, this is the ideal opportunity to assess someone who could become a long-term fourth spin option,” he added.
The comments have fuelled speculation that Axar Patel’s chances in the Test setup may be fading. However, Gambhir reiterated that Ravindra Jadeja remains a key figure in India’s plans.
“The selectors have already made it very clear that Jadeja is an integral part of this team. It is just that we have an opportunity to try another spinner. If you have to take four spinners to Sri Lanka, this is the perfect chance to assess a fourth option because we already have Washi, Kuldeep and Jaddu as our top three spinners,” Gambhir explained.
Selecting the final XI for the Afghanistan Test remains a challenging task, with several players competing for limited spots. However, Gambhir described the situation as a positive problem for Indian cricket.
“It is always difficult because of the amount of talent we have in the dressing room. It is never about leaving someone out, it is about picking the best playing XI that we believe can do the job for the team,” he said.
“The kind of talent available in India means it will always be tough for any coach or team management to select the best XI in any format. That is the luxury Indian cricket will always have.”
Looking beyond team selection, Gambhir also underlined the values he wants the next generation of cricketers to embrace, stressing that success in Test cricket is built on much more than skill alone.
“Test cricket goes beyond skill and technique. To succeed, you have to absorb pressure, understand the game situation and be willing to make sacrifices for the team. It is not just about flair; it is about defining the identity of the side. The message we want to give young players is simple — the sacrifices you make will define this team’s success,” Gambhir concluded.
