Ajit Agarkar

India’s Test squad for the Afghanistan match will be led by Shubman Gill, with KL Rahul replacing Rishabh Pant as vice-captain.

Rishabh Pant has been replaced as Test vice-captain by KL Rahul and dropped from the ODI squad. Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja are rested for workload management and a knee niggle respectively. Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya await fitness clearance for the ODI series. New faces Gurnoor Brar and Manav Suthar earn Test call-ups.

Indian selectors are poised to finalise squads for the Afghanistan Test and subsequent ODIs on May 19. Shubman Gill is expected to lead a strong batting lineup for the Test. With Jasprit Bumrah likely to be rested for the contest that doesn't form part of the World Test Championship, plenty of fresh faces are expected to make the cut. Regarding the ODI selection, no major surprises are expected

Rishabh Pant faces career challenges, losing Test vice-captaincy and ODI spot to Ishan Kishan. Despite selector praise for his Test potential, Pant's recent IPL form has been underwhelming. Meanwhile, Sanju Samson and Kishan are excelling. KL Rahul is named Shubman Gill's deputy. Auqib Nabi's strong Ranji performance was overlooked for Gurnoor Brar and Prince Yadav.

The senior men's selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, will meet on May 19 to pick India's squads for the one-off Test and three ODIs against Afghanistan in June. Shubman Gill is expected to lead both teams, with workload management for premier pacers like Jasprit Bumrah a key focus. Uncertainty surrounds the wicketkeeper's slot in the white-ball setup.

After the squad announcement, Goenka praised the young fast bowler in a post on X.

While the selectors will pick squads for a one-off Test and three ODIs against Afghanistan, the blueprint for the 2027 ODI World Cup will be finalised on May 19. There are no question marks over Virat Kohli's position but Rohit Sharma is on a sticky wicket, and Ravindra Jadeja needs to punch above his weight to remain in contention.

Gurnoor Brar, a towering 25-year-old pacer, earned his maiden India call-up for Tests and ODIs, impressing selectors with his searing pace and disconcerting bounce. Having been noticed by Shubman Gill, Shikhar Dhawan, and Ashish Nehra, Brar's journey highlights his potential to trouble batsmen with his natural attributes.

The BCCI medical team is clearing players for the Afghanistan Test, with a full-strength batting lineup expected. However, workload management will likely see changes in the bowling department, potentially giving opportunities to new faces. The No. 3 batting position remains a concern ahead of upcoming tours.

Spotted early by Shubman Gill, backed by Shikhar Dhawan and mentored by Ashish Nehra, Punjab pacer Gurnoor Brar’s rise has been shaped by pace, setbacks and learning curves. From a late start to India A success, the six-foot-five quick is now firmly on the national radar as India search for fast-bowling depth. The lanky fast bowler on Tuesday has received a maiden Indian call -up for both Tests and ODIs.

At a time when Indian cricket is scaling new heights on the global stage, vice-president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Rajeev Shukla, shares insights into the system driving this sustained success. In a conversation with Fazal Khan, Shukla speaks about the depth of India’s talent pool, the role of structured domestic platforms, and the impact of leagues like the IPL.

Former India captain Kris Srikkanth has urged selectors to fast-track 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi into the national team, comparing him to a young Sachin Tendulkar. Rival skipper Shreyas Iyer also called him 'one for the future.' Sooryavanshi has impressed with 246 runs at a strike rate of 236.53 in IPL 2026.

Sourav Ganguly has advocated for Mohammed Shami's return to the Indian national team, suggesting he should partner Jasprit Bumrah with the new ball. Ganguly praised Shami's recent IPL performances, particularly his economical spell against Sunrisers Hyderabad, and highlighted his strong domestic form, believing the pacer remains fit and capable of performing at the highest level.

India's cricket board is rebuilding its Test team. A new plan focuses on young players for the future. A four-day competition will feature 64 players under 25. This aims to create a strong pipeline of red-ball cricketers. Coaches and selectors will prioritize Test development. Emerging and India A teams will tour Sri Lanka for four-day games.

Veteran pacer Mohammed Shami has stated retirement is not on his mind, emphasising he will only step away when he feels bored, not due to age, selection, or injuries. Despite being out of the national setup for over a year, Shami remains focused on his performance and enjoying the game, aiming to deliver for his new team, Lucknow Super Giants.

"I don’t know what’s going on in their minds. They look committed to playing the World Cup, but I think that decision lies with them and the selectors, who will have to decide the future. My point is that they are such great players, there has to be clarity," Yuvraj said.

With Ajit Agarkar seeking extension on his tenure as chief selector until the 2027 ODI World Cup, the BCCI is considering his request following India's recent ICC title wins. Discussions are ongoing regarding his future and potential successors. The board faces a decision as India prepares for upcoming tournaments and potential player transitions.

India's selectors are closely watching the IPL to identify new talent and track consistency, moving beyond just top teams. Franchise scouting networks are now crucial, mirroring domestic cricket's shift. Focus remains on ODI core development and assessing players like Mayank Yadav and Rishabh Pant, while monitoring Hardik Pandya's bowling fitness.