India vs Afghanistan Prediction 2026: Who Will Win Today’s IND vs AFG 1st Test Match?
The India vs Afghanistan prediction for the one-off Test match heavily favors the hosts, but this encounter still carries plenty of intrigue. Scheduled to begin on 6 June 2026 at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur, the match marks the start of a new era for India under captain Shubman Gill. With senior stars Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, and Ravindra Jadeja rested, India have opted for a younger squad filled with emerging talent and proven performers eager to cement their places in the Test setup.
Afghanistan, meanwhile, continue their journey as a developing Test nation. Although they have shown flashes of brilliance in the longest format, consistency remains a challenge. Their batting lineup, led by Hashmatullah Shahidi and Rahmat Shah, possesses enough quality to compete, but facing India in Indian conditions is among the toughest assignments in world cricket. The absence of experienced Test performers such as Rashid Khan further weakens their chances.
India’s batting unit looks formidable with Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill, and Rishabh Pant forming a powerful top and middle order. The spin combination of Kuldeep Yadav and Washington Sundar could prove decisive on a surface expected to assist spinners as the match progresses.
Historically, the two teams have met only once in Test cricket. India dominated that encounter in Bengaluru in 2018, winning by an innings and 262 runs. Afghanistan will hope to put up a stronger challenge this time around, but the gulf in experience and depth remains significant.
With home advantage, superior batting resources, and a stronger bowling attack, India enter the contest as overwhelming favorites. Afghanistan’s best chance lies in their spinners exploiting favorable conditions and their senior batters producing exceptional performances.
Cricketwebs provides the best match prediction tips, fantasy cricket suggestions, and match analysis for every game. Based on current squad strength, form, and conditions, India appear well-positioned to secure another convincing victory over Afghanistan in this one-off Test match.
- India begin a new Test era under captain Shubman Gill.
- Afghanistan face a difficult challenge in Indian conditions.
- Kuldeep Yadav and Washington Sundar could be key on a turning pitch.
- India are favorites to win the IND vs AFG 1st Test 2026.
Table of Contents
Match Details
| Match | IND vs AFG, 1st Test 2026 |
|---|---|
| Date | 6 June 2026 |
| Time | 9:30 AM IST |
| Venue | Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur |
| Format | Test Match |
| Live Streaming | Official broadcaster to be confirmed |
| Live Score | Cricketwebs.com |
India Preview
India enter this one-off Test as clear favorites despite resting several senior players. The match provides an opportunity for Shubman Gill to establish his leadership credentials while allowing younger players to gain valuable red-ball experience.
Gill enjoyed a phenomenal 2025 Test season, scoring 983 runs in nine Tests at an average above 70. His ability to anchor innings while accelerating when required makes him India’s most important batter in this fixture. Alongside him, Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul provide stability at the top. Both batters have extensive experience against spin and should enjoy batting in home conditions.
Sai Sudharsan continues to impress in the longest format and is expected to occupy the crucial number three position. Rishabh Pant returns as India’s primary wicketkeeper-batter and remains one of the most dangerous players in world cricket. His aggressive style can change the course of a Test match within a session.
The all-round department appears balanced with Washington Sundar and Nitish Kumar Reddy. Sundar’s off-spin and batting versatility add significant value, while Nitish provides seam-bowling depth and lower-order runs.
India’s bowling attack will rely heavily on Kuldeep Yadav. The left-arm wrist-spinner has consistently troubled opposition batters and could be devastating on a surface that offers turn. Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna lead the pace attack and are capable of extracting bounce and movement with the new ball.
Although India recently struggled against South Africa, home conditions significantly increase their chances. The squad may lack some established stars, but the overall depth remains superior to Afghanistan’s.
Key Players
- Shubman Gill
- KL Rahul
- Kuldeep Yadav
Afghanistan Preview
Afghanistan continue to gain valuable experience in Test cricket and arrive in India hoping to produce a competitive performance. However, their record in the format highlights the challenges they face against stronger nations.
Captain Hashmatullah Shahidi remains the backbone of Afghanistan’s batting lineup. His ability to bat long periods makes him crucial to their hopes. Rahmat Shah is another key performer and is Afghanistan’s leading Test run-scorer. His technique against spin gives him the best chance of succeeding in Indian conditions.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz brings attacking intent at the top of the order. While he is primarily known for white-ball cricket, his aggressive approach can put bowlers under pressure if he survives the new ball.
Azmatullah Omarzai provides balance as a batting all-rounder and has developed into one of Afghanistan’s most dependable performers across formats. His ability to contribute with both bat and ball will be vital.
The bowling attack lacks the experience and quality typically needed to challenge India in home conditions. Qais Ahmad will lead the spin department and could pose some problems with his variations. Sharafudin Ashraf offers additional spin support, while Bilal Sami and Saleem Safi handle pace duties.
Afghanistan’s biggest concern is their batting consistency. They were recently dismissed cheaply against Zimbabwe, and facing India’s bowling attack represents a much tougher examination. To remain competitive, Afghanistan must build partnerships and avoid batting collapses.
Their chances largely depend on senior players producing career-defining performances. While an upset appears unlikely, a disciplined display could help them gain valuable experience against one of the world’s strongest Test teams.
Key Players
- Rahmat Shah
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz
- Qais Ahmad
Team Squads
India Squad
Shubman Gill (C), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Rishabh Pant, Devdutt Padikkal, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Manav Suthar, Gurnoor Brar, Harsh Dubey, Dhruv Jurel.
Afghanistan Squad
Hashmatullah Shahidi (C), Abdul Malik, Sediqullah Atal, Rahmat Shah, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Rahmanullah Zadran, Afsar Zazai, Ikram Alikhil, Azmatullah Omarzai, Sharafudin Ashraf, Nangyal Kharotai, Qais Ahmad, Bilal Sami, Zia Sharifi, Saleem Safi.
Probable Playing XI
India
| No. | Player |
|---|---|
| 1 | Yashasvi Jaiswal |
| 2 | KL Rahul |
| 3 | Sai Sudharsan |
| 4 | Shubman Gill (C) |
| 5 | Rishabh Pant (WK) |
| 6 | Devdutt Padikkal |
| 7 | Washington Sundar |
| 8 | Nitish Kumar Reddy |
| 9 | Kuldeep Yadav |
| 10 | Mohammed Siraj |
| 11 | Prasidh Krishna |
Afghanistan
| No. | Player |
|---|---|
| 1 | Rahmanullah Gurbaz |
| 2 | Sediqullah Atal |
| 3 | Rahmat Shah |
| 4 | Hashmatullah Shahidi (C) |
| 5 | Ikram Alikhil |
| 6 | Azmatullah Omarzai |
| 7 | Sharafudin Ashraf |
| 8 | Nangyal Kharotai |
| 9 | Qais Ahmad |
| 10 | Bilal Sami |
| 11 | Saleem Safi |
Dream11 Prediction for Today India vs Afghanistan 1st Test
| Position | Player |
|---|---|
| WK | Rishabh Pant |
| WK | Rahmanullah Gurbaz |
| Bat | Shubman Gill (C) |
| Bat | KL Rahul |
| Bat | Yashasvi Jaiswal |
| Bat | Rahmat Shah |
| AR | Washington Sundar |
| AR | Azmatullah Omarzai |
| Bowl | Kuldeep Yadav (VC) |
| Bowl | Mohammed Siraj |
| Bowl | Qais Ahmad |
Shubman Gill is the safest captaincy choice due to his outstanding Test form and ability to score big hundreds. Kuldeep Yadav is an excellent vice-captain option because the Mullanpur pitch is expected to assist spin bowlers. Rishabh Pant can earn valuable points through both batting and wicketkeeping. Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul strengthen the top order and are capable of posting large scores.
Rahmat Shah remains Afghanistan’s most dependable batter and can provide stability. Azmatullah Omarzai offers dual-point potential through batting and bowling. Mohammed Siraj should benefit from the new-ball conditions, while Qais Ahmad could exploit any turn available.
Captain Choices
- Shubman Gill
- Kuldeep Yadav
Vice-Captain Choices
- Kuldeep Yadav
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
Players to Avoid
- Bilal Sami
- Saleem Safi
Also Check: Get The Best Dream11 Prediction From Cricket Experts
Favourite Team in Today’s Match
India are the favorite team.
India possess a significantly stronger squad, greater Test experience, and the advantage of playing in familiar home conditions. Their batting lineup contains multiple established international performers capable of producing match-winning innings. The spin attack led by Kuldeep Yadav and Washington Sundar is ideally suited to Indian pitches.
Afghanistan have talented individuals, but their lack of Test experience remains a concern. Their bowling attack lacks the depth required to consistently trouble India’s batting lineup over five days. Additionally, Afghanistan’s recent Test performances have been inconsistent, particularly against quality opposition.
Unless Afghanistan produce something extraordinary, India should dominate most phases of the match and remain firmly in control.
India Test History
| Matches | Won | Lost | Draw | Tied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 598 | 185 | 188 | 224 | 1 |
India are among the most successful Test nations and possess one of the strongest home records in world cricket.
Afghanistan Test History
| Matches | Won | Lost | Draw |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | 4 | 7 | 1 |
Afghanistan are still developing as a Test nation but have already recorded notable victories in the format.
Head-to-Head Stats
| Matches | India Won | Afghanistan Won | Draw |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
India won the only previous Test meeting by an innings and 262 runs in Bengaluru in 2018, highlighting their dominance over Afghanistan in the format.
Pitch Report
The Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur is expected to provide a balanced surface early in the match. Batters should enjoy favorable conditions on the first two days, while bowlers may receive assistance with the new ball. As the game progresses, cracks and rough patches are likely to develop, bringing spinners into play. Teams winning the toss may prefer to bat first and take advantage of the best batting conditions. A first-innings score above 400 could place significant pressure on the opposition.
Weather Report
| Condition | Forecast |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 33°C |
| Humidity | 42% |
| Rain Chance | 10% |
| Conditions | Mostly Sunny |
Warm and dry conditions are expected throughout the Test, making interruptions unlikely and ensuring a full contest.
Broadcast Details
The official television and digital streaming partners are expected to provide live coverage across India. Fans can also follow live scores, commentary, and match updates through major cricket platforms and Cricketwebs.
Toss Prediction
India are predicted to win the toss. Given the expected pitch conditions, the toss-winning captain is likely to choose batting first and aim to post a large first-innings total.
Probable Best Batsman & Bowler
Shubman Gill looks the strongest candidate to finish as India’s leading run-scorer. His recent Test form has been exceptional, and he appears ready to thrive in his new role as captain. Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul are also strong contenders.
For Afghanistan, Rahmat Shah remains their most dependable batting option and could anchor the innings.
Among bowlers, Kuldeep Yadav is the standout choice. The left-arm wrist-spinner has an excellent Test record and should enjoy conditions that favor spin. Mohammed Siraj could make early breakthroughs with the new ball, while Qais Ahmad may emerge as Afghanistan’s leading wicket-taker.
India vs Afghanistan Winning Chances
| Team | Winning Chances | Why | Why Not |
|---|---|---|---|
| India | 63% | Better squad, home advantage, stronger bowling attack | Several senior players rested |
| Afghanistan | 37% | Experienced top-order batters, spin-friendly conditions | Limited Test experience and weaker bowling depth |
Match Prediction
India hold a significant advantage heading into this one-off Test match. Their batting lineup appears stronger, their bowling attack is more experienced, and home conditions further increase their chances. Afghanistan have capable players but may struggle to compete consistently across five days. Expect India to control the match and secure a comfortable victory.
Prediction: India Will Win the 1st Test Against Afghanistan.
Also, once the toss takes place, we might modify the Today Match Prediction as per the playing XIs. Please check this blog after the toss for the updated Prediction.
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