Such a day will come in Indian cricket after 16 years. (Photo-PTI)
India vs Afghanistan Test: A new era is going to start in the history of Indian Test cricket from June 6. Team India is going to play a test match against Afghanistan at Maharaja Yadvendra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur, Chandigarh. This match will be only the second test match between the two countries. In this match, there is going to be a change in the spin department of Team India, which has forced the teams around the world to kneel on the basis of spin bowling on home grounds, which was not seen in the last 16 years.
Such a day will come in Indian cricket after 16 years
This will be the first time since November 2010 that the Indian team will play a Test match on its soil without the magical pair of R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja. During these 16 years, one of these two greats has always been a part of the playing 11 in every domestic Test match of India. But this time, in the absence of these two legends, the unbroken streak of the last 69 home Test matches will finally be broken.
There are different reasons for the absence of these two senior players, considered the backbone of the Indian Test team. Veteran off-spinner R Ashwin has retired from international cricket. At the same time, star all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja has been rested for this match. Apart from these, another spinner Akshar Patel has been dropped from the team due to poor form. In such a situation, the Indian team is going to take the field against Afghanistan with a new spin pair.
Now ‘heavy’ responsibility will be on the shoulders of Kuldeep Yadav
In the absence of Ashwin, Jadeja and Akshar, now Indian bowler Kuldeep Yadav will be seen in the role of lead spinner. This match will be no less than a big test for Kuldeep because the entire responsibility of leading the spin attack will be on his shoulders. Washington Sundar may be present in the playing eleven to support Kuldeep, while either Harsh Dubey or Manav Suthar may get a chance to debut as the third spinner. Kuldeep is far ahead of all of them in terms of experience, so he will have to work harder in the match.
The recently concluded IPL 2026 season was nothing special for Kuldeep Yadav. While playing for Delhi Capitals, he took only 10 wickets in 12 matches, and during this period his economy rate was also 10.29. In such a situation, there may be pressure on Kuldeep Yadav in this match.
