Former batter Aakash Chopra has picked his playing XI for India ahead of their one-off Test match against Afghanistan, commencing on Saturday, June 6. The Men in Blue compete in their first five-day game since facing South Africa on home soil back in November 2025.
Chopra has gone with the regular opening pair of Yashasvi Jaiwal and KL Rahul at the top of the innings, along with Sai Sudharsan at number three. This remains a contentious topic, with Devdutt Padikkal also being a possibility following his exploits in the 2026 Indian Premier League.
The rest of the former player-turned-pundit’s side is what everyone else would expect. The two all-rounders he has gone with are Washington Sundar and Nitish Kumar Reddy, with Rishabh Pant to take the gloves.
“The Indian XI could be like this – Yashasvi Jaiswal with KL Rahul, who is now the vice-captain, and I will play Sai Sudharsan at No. 3. I want to play Sai because if I don’t play him today and play Devdutt instead, I would drop him the day after tomorrow, as it’s been a game of musical chairs these days. Captain Gill at No. 4, and Rishabh Pant, who is no longer the vice-captain, at No. 5. Then at No. 6 and No. 7, you will find Washington Sundar and Nitish Kumar Reddy,” Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube channel.
As far as the bowlers are concerned, Chopra picks the Gujarat Titans duo of Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna as guaranteed starters with Kuldeep Yadav as the frontline spinner.
Should India require an additional spinner, they can opt to hand a debut to either Harsh Dubey or Manav Suthar, or go with Gurnoor Brar as the third seam option.
“Then Kuldeep Yadav. Prasidh Krishna and Mohammed Siraj are certain. After that, you have to see the pitch. I feel one guy’s debut is confirmed here, whether it’s Harsh Dubey, Manav Suthar, or Gurnoor Brar, because you will either play with three fast bowlers or three outright spinners,” Chopra added.
Aakash Chopra’s India playing XI vs Afghanistan:
KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill (C), Rishabh Pant (WK), Washington Sundar, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Kuldeep Yadav, Prasidh Krishna, Mohammed Siraj, Harsh Dubey/Manav Suthar/Gurnoor Brar
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