India's Predicted Squad for the One-off Test Against Afghanistan

The much-awaited Test between India and Afghanistan will get underway on June 14 in Bengaluru. While the cricketing fraternity is eagerly waiting for the game, one can say that the contest can be called as ‘David vs Goliath’ contest.

The game will be Afghanistan’s first-ever in Test cricket and they are up against none other than the current top Test side in the world cricket.

India more than likely will steamroll the latest entrant in Test arena but the visitors can also spring a surprise or two during the enticing contest.

The war-ravaged nation has taken significant strides since being given the One-Day International status in 2011. They qualified for the 2015 World Cup and won their first game in the tournament by beating Scotland.

Last year (2017), they along with Ireland got the Test status from ICC. They came as the first admission in the game as a Full Member alongside Ireland since Bangladesh gained Test status in 2000.

Early this year, Afghanistan qualified for their second World Cup by winning the 2018 ICC World Cup Qualifiers.

Big challenges now await for one of the most improved teams in international cricket and it starts with the One-off Test against the mighty Indians.

The Asghar Stanikzai-led side is likely to lose the game but it will give them a fine opportunity to test themselves against the best in the business.

On the other hand, the game will help the hosts to get the much-needed practise ahead of the challenging tour of England.

The hosts’ players will be a bit rusty after playing two months of Twenty20 cricket in IPL and the game will help them get rid of the rustiness.

Meanwhile, the game is set to lose some of its shine as one of the biggest attractions will be missing it.

India skipper Virat Kohli will be in England, playing county cricket when the Test will be played. Senior pacer Ishant Sharma will also miss it due to county commitments.

On the other hand, Cheteshwar Pujara will return to India to play the game before leaving for England.

The selectors are set to announce the squad for the Test on May 8. The absence of Kohli and Ishant can make them spring a surprise or two.

In Kohli’s absence, Ajinkya Rahane is more than likely to lead Team India.

So here is a look at the predicted squad of India for the one-off Test:

Ajinkya Rahane (C). Shikhar Dhawan. Murali Vijay. KL Rahul. Cheteshwar Pujara. Rohit Sharma. Hardik Pandya. Wriddhiman Saha. Ravichandran Ashwin. Ravindra Jadeja. Kuldeep Yadav. Jasprit Bumrah. Umesh Yadav. Mohammed Shami. Bhuvneshwar Kumar.

Also, Read: IPL 2018: 34th Match, Kings XI Punjab vs Rajasthan Royals – Weather Forecast