India vs Afghanistan Series June 2026: Complete Schedule, Squads, Venues and Full Preview

India Afghanistan series June 2026 is finally here — and cricket fans across India are excited for what promises to be a fascinating multi-format series. Fresh off their IPL 2026 season and the T20 World Cup, Team India are set to face Afghanistan in a one Test and three ODI series that begins on June 6, 2026. This is a big series for both teams — India use it as a preparation platform for the 2027 ODI World Cup, while Afghanistan look to prove their growth as a Test and ODI cricketing nation.

The series features some big names — Shubman Gill leads India as captain, with Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in the ODI squad, while Afghanistan will be bolstered by the return of their superstar Rashid Khan. Here is everything you need to know about the India Afghanistan cricket series June 2026 — schedule, squads, venues, and full match preview.

India vs Afghanistan Series June 2026 — Quick Facts

India vs Afghanistan Schedule June 2026

Test Match:

ODI Series:

Note: The first ODI was originally scheduled for June 12 but was rescheduled to June 13, 2026 as confirmed by BCCI.

India Squad for Afghanistan Series June 2026

India Test Squad:

Captain: Shubman Gill | Vice Captain: KL Rahul

India ODI Squad:

Captain: Shubman Gill | Vice Captain: Shreyas Iyer

Key Talking Points — India Squad

1. Rohit Sharma & Virat Kohli in ODI Squad

The biggest news from the India Afghanistan series June 2026 squad announcement is that both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have been named in the ODI squad. With the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia firmly on the horizon, India’s selectors are clearly signalling that these two veterans remain central to their 50-over plans.

Rohit will bat at the top of the order alongside captain Shubman Gill, while Kohli is expected to come in at number three — the classic India batting lineup that has served them well in recent years.

2. Bumrah & Siraj Rested

India’s two premier fast bowlers — Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammad Siraj — have been rested for this series. Bumrah’s workload is being carefully managed ahead of India’s white-ball tour of England, where he will be needed at his best. This gives younger pacers like Gurnoor Brar and Prasidh Krishna a chance to make their mark.

3. Rishabh Pant Loses Vice-Captaincy

In a significant development, Rishabh Pant has been relieved of his ODI vice-captaincy ahead of this series due to poor form. Shreyas Iyer takes over as vice-captain in ODIs, while KL Rahul continues to cement his position as India’s first-choice ODI wicket-keeper batter.

4. New Faces — Gurnoor Brar & Prince Yadav

The series also gives an opportunity to new faces. Gurnoor Brar has been named in both the Test and ODI squads, while Prince Yadav gets a look-in for the ODI squad. These are the kind of opportunities that could shape India’s squad for the 2027 World Cup.

Afghanistan Squad for India Series June 2026

Afghanistan come into this series in fine form after their impressive performance in the 2026 T20 World Cup. Led by the legendary Rashid Khan, they have developed into a genuine multi-format threat — particularly in spin-friendly conditions.

Key Players to Watch:

• Rashid Khan — The world’s best T20 bowler brings his leg-spin magic to Test and ODI formats
• Ibrahim Zadran — Consistent top-order batter who can build long innings
• Rahmanullah Gurbaz — Explosive wicket-keeper batter at the top of the order
• Mujeeb Ur Rahman — Crafty off-spinner who is a handful on turning tracks
• Noor Ahmad — Left-arm wrist spinner who has troubled top batters worldwide
• Darwish Rasooli — Emerging batter who impressed against West Indies with 156 runs in the T20I series

India vs Afghanistan Series June 2026 — Preview

Test Match Preview — June 6-10 at Mullanpur

The standalone Test match at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur, New Chandigarh will be the highlight of the series. This is a relatively new venue that is still building its reputation on the international circuit.

India are overwhelming favourites in the Test — Shubman Gill’s side has enormous depth in both batting and bowling, and Afghanistan are still developing their Test match capabilities. Kuldeep Yadav and Washington Sundar will be key with the ball in conditions that should offer spin.

For Afghanistan, this is a chance to show they belong at the highest level of Test cricket. They have improved significantly since their first Test against India in 2018, and their batters will be eager to prove themselves against India’s spinners.

ODI Series Preview — June 13-20

The three-match ODI series is where things get more interesting. With Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli back in the squad, India’s batting lineup looks formidable. Shubman Gill’s form coming off a brilliant IPL 2026 campaign gives him enormous confidence heading into this series as captain.

Afghanistan’s strength lies in their spin bowling — Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, and Noor Ahmad together form one of the most dangerous spin attacks in world cricket. If they can contain India’s top order in the powerplay, they have the firepower to challenge for wins.

The ODI series also serves a secondary purpose — India’s selectors will use these matches to finalise their squad for the 2026 Asian Games in September, where cricket makes a return to the programme. Fringe players will be desperate to impress.

Why This Series Matters

For India:

• First major series after IPL 2026 — chance to assess squad depth
• Build towards 2027 ODI World Cup — squad planning begins here
• Selection trial for Asian Games squad — September 2026
• New captain Shubman Gill continues to establish himself as India’s ODI leader

For Afghanistan:

• Chance to prove Test cricket credentials against a top-ranked side
• Rashid Khan’s leadership — cementing his legacy as Afghanistan’s greatest cricketer
• Building confidence ahead of more international assignments
• Historic significance — Afghanistan cricket has come a long way from its early days

India vs Afghanistan Head to Head Record

Prediction — Who Will Win?

India are clear favourites across both formats. They have greater depth, a stronger batting lineup, and home conditions on their side. Shubman Gill’s squad is well-equipped to win both the Test and the ODI series comfortably.

However, Afghanistan’s spin trio of Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, and Noor Ahmad make them dangerous in any conditions. If the pitches turn significantly in the ODIs, and if Afghanistan’s batters can post competitive totals, they have the bowling attack to cause an upset or two.

Our prediction: India win the Test comfortably and take the ODI series 3-0, but Afghanistan will make it interesting in at least one or two of the limited-overs matches.

Conclusion

The India Afghanistan series June 2026 is set to be a fascinating multi-format series that will give India plenty of answers as they begin building towards the 2027 ODI World Cup. With Rohit and Kohli back in the ODI mix, Shubman Gill establishing himself as captain, and new faces getting their chance, this is a series that matters for Indian cricket’s future.

For Afghanistan, every series against India is a chance to prove that they belong at the top table of world cricket — and with Rashid Khan leading the way, they will give nothing less than their absolute best.

Cricket fans, get ready — India Afghanistan cricket action starts June 6, 2026! Stay tuned to Mirrorly.in for live updates, match previews, and all the latest cricket news!