{"id":177056,"date":"2026-06-05T05:17:49","date_gmt":"2026-06-05T10:47:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?p=177056"},"modified":"2026-06-05T05:17:49","modified_gmt":"2026-06-05T10:47:49","slug":"ind-vs-afg-test-preview-indias-struggling-batting-order-in-focus-against-spirited-afghanistan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?p=177056","title":{"rendered":"IND vs AFG Test, Preview: India\u2019s struggling batting order in focus against spirited Afghanistan"},"content":{"rendered":"


\n<\/p>\n

A one-off Test against Afghanistan, beginning at the New PCA Stadium in New Chandigarh on Saturday, will be an ideal reconvening point for India before it squabbles up for a late charge at the World Test Championship final.<\/p>\n

Left with a daunting path to the summit clash after the home series loss to South Africa, preparation for the upcoming must-win tours to Sri Lanka and New Zealand is already on the agenda.<\/p>\n

Nowhere does India need to clean house more than its feeble batting order. Despite playing in home conditions, India averaged a paltry 15.23 across the four innings in that series. Only two batters, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Ravindra Jadeja, scored fifties in that series.<\/p>\n

ALSO READ<\/b> | Sudharsan to bat at No. 3, India head coach Gambhir confirms<\/a><\/b><\/p>\n

But the early indicators in New Chandigarh suggest India is banking on continuity. Head coach Gautam Gambhir confirmed on match eve that India\u2019s under-fire No. 3 choice Sai Sudharsan will continue in the role. Handing the vice-captaincy to KL Rahul appears to be another move borne from the urge to give more chances to Rishabh Pant.<\/p>\n

Even against the modest wares of Afghanistan, a left-hand heavy batting order can make the most out of facing left-arm orthodox Sharafuddin Ashraf and leg-break bowler Qais Ahmed.<\/p>\n

India will not mind the selection of another left-arm orthodox spinner, Nangeyalia Kharote, given that it is the kind of spin it will face the most in Sri Lanka.<\/p>\n

Though it would be a tall ask to emulate the way Simon Harmer tormented India, Afghanistan has no frontline off-spinner to even give it a shot.<\/p>\n

Dhruv Jurel contributed just 29 runs in the South Africa series, but his prolonged stint in the optional net session on Friday hinted that his selection is on the cards. Jurel\u2019s inclusion will push Nitish Kumar Reddy out of the playing XI, especially with Manav Suthar or Harsh Dubey\u2019s impending debut impending.<\/p>\n

ALSO READ<\/b> | Gambhir on ICC\u2019s pink-ball trial for day Test matches: I love that, it\u2019s a proactive move<\/a><\/b><\/p>\n

Gambhir clarified that the two left-arm orthodox spinners are seen as potential options for Sri Lanka. With Washington Sundar and Kuldeep Yadav assured of their place, a third spinner leaves room for just two quicks.<\/p>\n

Picking Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna is a no-brainer, but a shoulder injury to the former opens up a slim window for Gurnoor Brar to play as the second debutant.<\/p>\n

For Afghanistan, this is no less than a red-letter occasion, and it hopes this Test turns out better than its last against India eight years ago.<\/p>\n

Hashmatullah Shahidi, Rahmat Shah, and Afsar Zazai are the only three still standing from that Bengaluru Test that lasted just two days. Rahmat can add to the occasion by adding 30 runs and becoming the first Afghan batter to complete 1000 runs in Tests.<\/p>\n

It is a homecoming of sorts for Azmatullah Omarzai, who plays at the venue for Punjab Kings in the Indian Premier League (IPL). The all-rounder scored a golden duck in his solitary Test appearance, but has the potential to hold the middle-order together.<\/p>\n

Besides a more experienced opponent, Afghanistan has the soaring mercury to deal with. An impressive show under the strain of the elements could make its occasion even more memorable.<\/p>\n

Published on Jun 05, 2026<\/p>\n<\/div>\n


\n
Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

A one-off Test against Afghanistan, beginning at the New PCA Stadium in New Chandigarh on Saturday, will be an ideal reconvening point for India before it squabbles up for a late charge at the World Test Championship final. Left with a daunting path to the summit clash after the home series loss to South Africa, … Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":177057,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[9],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-177056","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sports"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/image2028.jpg","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":176685,"url":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?p=176685","url_meta":{"origin":177056,"position":0},"title":"Gaikwad set to replace Kohli for Afghanistan ODIs; Patidar likely to make India A squad","author":"Ajay Kumar Verma","date":"June 4, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Rajat Patidar could earn a place in India A\u2019s squad for the tri-nation tournament in Sri Lanka beginning next week. The national selectors are understood to be leaning towards naming Ruturaj Gaikwad as Virat Kohli\u2019s replacement for the three-match ODI series against Afghanistan. With Kohli unavailable for the series due\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Sports"","block_context":{"text":"Sports","link":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?cat=9"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/DSC_3656B.JPG?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/DSC_3656B.JPG?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/DSC_3656B.JPG?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/DSC_3656B.JPG?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/DSC_3656B.JPG?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":175273,"url":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?p=175273","url_meta":{"origin":177056,"position":1},"title":"Indian team cricket schedule after IPL: Full list of matches, fixtures, dates, venues","author":"Ajay Kumar Verma","date":"June 1, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Shortly after the conclusion of the 2026 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), the Indian cricket team\u2019s international season will resume with a one-off Test match against Afghanistan in New Chandigarh on June 6. Led by Shubman Gill, who led Gujarat Titans to the IPL 2026 final, the Test\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Sports"","block_context":{"text":"Sports","link":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?cat=9"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/image2016.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/image2016.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/image2016.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/image2016.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/image2016.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":176599,"url":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?p=176599","url_meta":{"origin":177056,"position":2},"title":"IND vs AFG \u2014 Virat Kohli ruled out of India v Afghanistan ODI series with injury","author":"Ajay Kumar Verma","date":"June 4, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Virat Kohli, on Thursday, ruled out of the upcoming ODI series against Afghanistan due to a hamstring injury. 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Kohli, known for his unmatched fitness\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Sports"","block_context":{"text":"Sports","link":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?cat=9"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/133_RVM_3294.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/133_RVM_3294.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/133_RVM_3294.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/133_RVM_3294.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/133_RVM_3294.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":172688,"url":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?p=172688","url_meta":{"origin":177056,"position":3},"title":"Afghanistan announces Test and ODI squads for India tour \u2014 Check full list of players","author":"Ajay Kumar Verma","date":"May 26, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"The Afghanistan Cricket Board on Tuesday announced its squads for the three-match ODI series and the one-off Test against India in June. 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The\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Sports"","block_context":{"text":"Sports","link":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?cat=9"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/11908_7_11_2023_16_27_29_2_EMM_4323.JPG?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/11908_7_11_2023_16_27_29_2_EMM_4323.JPG?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/11908_7_11_2023_16_27_29_2_EMM_4323.JPG?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/11908_7_11_2023_16_27_29_2_EMM_4323.JPG?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/11908_7_11_2023_16_27_29_2_EMM_4323.JPG?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":175552,"url":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?p=175552","url_meta":{"origin":177056,"position":4},"title":"Selectors should pick up the phone and apologise: Sanjay Manjrekar on Yashasvi Jaiswal\u2019s ODI exclusion","author":"Ajay Kumar Verma","date":"June 1, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Former India international Sanjay Manjrekar has suggested that national team selectors owe Yashasvi Jaiswal an explanation for his exclusion from India\u2019s squad for its upcoming ODI series against Afghanistan. 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Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. Eight years later, it has come a full circle, facing the same team in New Chandigarh, starting Saturday. These games against the heavyweight bookend the story of a novice embracing a challenge. It is\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Sports"","block_context":{"text":"Sports","link":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?cat=9"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/GettyImages-1237963465.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/GettyImages-1237963465.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/GettyImages-1237963465.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/GettyImages-1237963465.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/GettyImages-1237963465.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pgnRh4-K3K","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/177056","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=177056"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/177056\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/177057"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=177056"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=177056"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=177056"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}