• Source:JND

India returned to Test cricket with a one-off match against Afghanistan at Mullanpur on Saturday, and captain Shubman Gill chose to bat first after winning the toss.

The Indian team stuck to the expected playing XI, with left-arm spinner Manav Suthar making his international debut. He joins Kuldeep Yadav and Washington Sundar in India's spin department for the match.

The game also marked the end of a remarkable chapter in Indian cricket. For the first time in 15 years, India played a home Test without either Ravichandran Ashwin or Ravindra Jadeja in the starting XI.

ALSO READ: 'Should Be Part Of His Journey...': R. Ashwin Backs Vaibhav Sooryavanshi To Play Red-Ball Cricket

When did India last play a Test without Jadeja and Ashwin?

The previous instance came against New Zealand in Nagpur in 2010, when Harbhajan Singh and Pragyan Ojha led India's spin attack. India went on to dominate that match, winning by an innings and 198 runs.

Since then, India have played 69 home Tests, and every playing XI included at least one of Ashwin or Jadeja. Both have been key figures in India's success in red-ball cricket over the last decade and a half.

ALSO READ: Suspense Ends Over Spinner's Debut As Shubman Gill Opts To Bat Against Afghanistan In One-Off Test: Check Playing XIs

Where is Ashwin and Jadeja?

Ashwin, who finished his Test career with 537 wickets in 106 matches, has retired from international cricket. Jadeja, meanwhile, has been rested for the Afghanistan Test as well as the upcoming three-match ODI series.

India's playing XI

KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant, Dhruv Jurel, Washington Sundar, Manav Suthar, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna.

IND vs AFG Test not part of WTC Cycle

This is the first Test meeting between India and Afghanistan since 2018. Although the match is not part of the ICC World Test Championship, it gives India an opportunity to test combinations and build towards the challenges ahead.

India still have nine Tests left in the current World Test Championship cycle, including away series in Sri Lanka and New Zealand, along with a five-match home series against Australia.


Also In News