India and Afghanistan are set to lock horns in a one-off Test beginning on June 6 in New Chandigarh. While the spotlight will naturally fall on some of the established names in both squads, the match also presents a golden opportunity for several rising talents to showcase their abilities on the international stage.
For India, the game marks the beginning of an important phase in the World Test Championship cycle, while Afghanistan will look to continue their impressive growth in the longest format. With both teams featuring a blend of youth and experience, several players could play defining roles in determining the outcome of the contest.
Players to watch out for in IND vs AFG one-off Test
The upcoming one-off Test between India and Afghanistan presents an intriguing mix of established performers and emerging talents. While India will rely on a few fresh faces looking to make a mark at the highest level, Afghanistan have brought back experienced campaigners and exciting match-winners capable of challenging any opposition. With conditions likely to assist both seamers and spinners at different stages of the game, these five players could play a decisive role in shaping the outcome of the contest.
1. Gurnoor Brar (India)
One of the most exciting uncapped fast bowlers in the Indian setup, Gurnoor Brar enters the spotlight after a series of impressive domestic performances. The Punjab seamer has steadily built a reputation for generating steep bounce and maintaining relentless accuracy in red-ball cricket.
Although he did not feature for Gujarat Titans (GT) during IPL 2026, Brar’s first-class numbers have been hard to ignore. His performances during the 2024-25 domestic season established him as one of the country’s most promising pace prospects. If handed a debut, his ability to exploit seam movement and extract bounce could make him a genuine threat against Afghanistan’s batting lineup.
2. Harsh Dubey (India)
Harsh Dubey has enjoyed a remarkable rise over the past year and could be in contention for a Test debut. The left-arm spinner was part of Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) during IPL 2026 and impressed with eight wickets in eight matches. However, it is his first-class record that truly stands out. Dubey has already collected 133 wickets in just 27 matches, including multiple five-wicket hauls and two ten-wicket match performances. His contribution with the bat further enhances his value, having scored more than 1,000 first-class runs. On a surface expected to assist spin as the match progresses, Dubey could become a crucial weapon for India.
3. Nitish Kumar Reddy (India)
Nitish Kumar Reddy arrives with growing confidence after an excellent IPL 2026 campaign. The all-rounder played a vital role for Sunrisers Hyderabad, contributing valuable runs in the middle order while also providing useful overs with the ball. What makes Reddy particularly important in Test cricket is his balance. His ability to contribute in multiple departments gives India additional flexibility in team selection. Against an Afghanistan side known for its spin resources, Reddy’s attacking approach and medium-pace bowling could prove extremely valuable throughout the match.
4. Rahmat Shah (Afghanistan)
Whenever Afghanistan play Test cricket, Rahmat Shah remains one of their most dependable batters. The experienced right-hander returns to the Test setup after missing Afghanistan’s previous outing and is expected to anchor the middle order. Having featured in almost every Test Afghanistan has played, Rahmat brings invaluable experience to a relatively young batting lineup. His patient approach and ability to absorb pressure make him a key figure, especially against India’s quality spin attack led by players such as Kuldeep Yadav and the emerging Manav Suthar. If Afghanistan are to challenge India, Rahmat’s performance will be vital.
5. Qais Ahmad (Afghanistan)
With Rashid Khan unavailable for the Test, additional responsibility will fall on leg-spinner Qais Ahmad. Although his Test experience remains limited, his first-class record highlights his effectiveness in longer-format cricket. Qais possesses a wide range of variations that can trouble batters. Having gained experience across franchise leagues around the world, he brings confidence and unpredictability to Afghanistan’s bowling attack. If the pitch offers turn later in the game, Qais could emerge as one of the biggest threats to India’s batting unit.
