Former cricketer-turned-commentator Aakash Chopra has named his preferred India playing XI for the one-off Test against Afghanistan. However, Dhruv Jurel and star batter Devdutt Padikkal failed to find a place in his team. India will host Afghanistan in a one-off Test in New Chandigarh from Saturday, June 6, onwards as well. While Jurel was part of India’s playing XI in their last Test against South Africa, Padikkal hasn’t played a Test since November 2024 as well.
In a video shared on his YouTube channel, ‘Aakash Chopra,’ he said, “The Indian XI could be like this – Yashasvi Jaiswal with KL Rahul, who is now the vice-captain, and I will play Sai Sudharsan at No. 3. I want to play Sai because if I don’t play him today and play Devdutt instead, I would drop him the day after tomorrow, as it’s been a game of musical chairs these days.”
“We played Sai, then played Karun Nair, then Sai, and then Washington Sundar in his place, then Sai in place of Washi, and if we play Devdutt Padikkal in place of Sai, then if we go back to Sai again or play Dhruv Jurel, we will not end this cycle. Play a punt on one guy and stick with him for a long time. Captain Gill at No. 4, and Rishabh Pant, who is no longer the vice-captain, at No. 5. Then at No. 6 and No. 7, you will find Washington Sundar and Nitish Kumar Reddy,” Chopra again said.
However, Aakash Chopra also added that India could pick between Harsh Dubey and Manav Suthar as a spin-bowling option as well.
“One option could be to play Harsh Dubey. He also provides you with batting. You will get another batting option, although you need to stop thinking about batting when you are picking bowlers. Think only about bowling when you are picking bowlers. So there could be a chance for one of Harsh Dubey and Manav Suthar here, whoever you feel can do a better job,” he said.
“Then Kuldeep Yadav. Prasidh Krishna and Mohammed Siraj are certain. After that, you have to see the pitch. I feel one guy’s debut is confirmed here, whether it’s Harsh Dubey, Manav Suthar, or Gurnoor Brar, because you will either play with three fast bowlers or three outright spinners,” Chopra concluded.
Aakash Chopra’s India playing 11 for IND vs AFG 2026 Test:
KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant, Washington Sundar, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Kuldeep Yadav, Prasidh Krishna, Mohammed Siraj, Harsh Dubey/Manav Suthar/Gurnoor Brar
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