IND vs AFG: The BCCI unveiled India's team for the Test and ODI series against Afghanistan, which launches immediately after the IPL 2026 concludes. The Indian Test team will contest a one-off Test match against Afghanistan, kicking off on June 6 at the PCA new stadium. This match falls outside the ongoing WTC cycle. Both squads will clash in a three-match ODI series beginning June 14, with matches taking place in Dharamshala, Lucknow, and Chennai.
After dropping Mohammed Shami, granting Jasprit Bumrah some rest, and removing Rishabh Pant from the ODI squad and his Test vice-captaincy, the selectors surprised everyone by selecting uncapped pacer Gurnoor Brar and left-arm spinner Harsh Dubey, both earning their first India call-ups.
Ajit Agarkar, the chief selector of the Indian team, has revealed that these two bowlers are also being considered for selection in India's ODI World Cup team.
ALSO READ: Suresh Raina Urges MS Dhoni To Continue In IPL 2027; His Response Leaves Fans Disheartened
Who is Gurnoor Brar?
When Gurnoor Brar was young, cricket was not his passion. He watched Dale Steyn with admiration, even imitating Steyn's bowling action, but his heart belonged to football and tennis. It was the encouragement of a school friend—seeing potential in Brar's height—that sparked a pivotal moment. Brar, uncertain yet excited, took a leap that would change everything, as he revealed in an interview with the Times of India.
He soon found himself bowling to Shubman Gill in the U-19 team, where Gill recognized his talent. Gill helped Brar join the district team, which then represented Punjab in the U-23 team. Brar stormed into his List A debut in 2021 and followed it with his first-class debut a year later.
Brar dazzled with consistent performances and grabbed the attention of the Punjab Kings, first serving as their net bowler during IPL 2023. After impressing Shikhar Dhawan, he seized an opportunity as an injury replacement during IPL 2023 and made his IPL debut against Lucknow Super Giants.
Following a promising start, he suffered two setbacks. He faltered in his IPL debut match and, weeks later, sustained an injury in a domestic T20 league match, sidelining him for the rest of the tournament.
Gill once again assisted him in clinching a Gujarat Titans contract, during which Brar trained rigorously under Ashish Nehra and Kagiso Rabada.
Post working as a net bowler for the Gujarat-based franchise for a year, he was roped in for Rs 30 lakh during the IPL 2025 auction and was also retained for the ongoing season, although he still hasn't played a single match for this team.
Even without playing in the ongoing IPL season, Brar excelled during domestic tournaments. He snatched 11 wickets after competing in eight matches of the Vijay Hazare Trophy semifinal last year. He ascended to the joint-highest wicket-taker, grabbing eight wickets during the India A series against Australia A in two four-day matches in September last year.
In addition to his prowess in white-ball cricket, he has contested 18 first-class matches, taking 52 wickets at an average of 27.30.
The selectors valued his height and speed, calling him up to India A in 2025. He represented the Pathway team in three matches.
Commenting on the Punjab fast bowler, Agarkar emphasized that his towering height and sharp skills make him a standout player to watch in the series against Afghanistan, and that the selectors are considering him for the ODI World Cup in South Africa, where pitch conditions might empower bowlers like him.
Who is Harsh Dubey?
The selectors couldn't overlook Vidharbha's star all-rounder, drawn to his record-breaking feats in the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy, where he took 69 wickets and helped the team win the trophy.
This remarkable run secured him two India A call-ups last year, and he clinched the Lala Amarnath award as the best all-rounder of the 2024/25 Ranji Trophy. He also led Vidharbha to their first Vijay Hazare Trophy title in his debut season as captain.
On the strength of his domestic success, the Sunrisers Hyderabad recruited him at the IPL 2025 auction, and he made his debut against the Delhi Capitals. He contested three matches, capturing five wickets, including those of Virat Kohli and Mitchell Marsh, prompting the team to retain him this season.
Last year, he joined the India A team for the Rising Star Asia Cup in Qatar, where he smashed his first half-century in the shortest format and then blazed a career-best knock of 84 runs during an India A match against South Africa.
With Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel resting this series, Dubey and Manav Suthar will command the spin-bowling all-rounder department during the one-off Test against Afghanistan.