Cricket discussions picked up across Guwahati and Assam after the BCCI announced India’s squad for the upcoming one-off Test against Afghanistan, with KL Rahul appointed vice-captain under skipper Shubman Gill.
The squad announcement has generated strong interest among cricket followers in Guwahati, especially with several fresh faces earning maiden Test call-ups and major senior players being rested.
The BCCI has announced India’s squad for the Afghanistan Test, with KL Rahul named vice-captain under Shubman Gill. The announcement has drawn strong interest among cricket fans in Guwahati and Assam.
Leadership Change in the India Squad
The BCCI confirmed that:
- Shubman Gill will captain the side
- KL Rahul has been named vice-captain
This marks a leadership reshuffle in the Test setup, with Rishabh Pant no longer serving as vice-captain, although he remains part of the Test squad as a wicketkeeper-batter.
Pant has also been excluded from the ODI squad for the subsequent series.
Big Names Rested
India will be without several key players for the Test match, including:
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Jasprit Bumrah
- Axar Patel
- Akash Deep
The pace attack will instead be led by:
- Mohammed Siraj
- Prasidh Krishna
Fresh Faces Get Opportunity
The squad announcement has also created excitement due to the inclusion of young and emerging players.
Players receiving maiden Test call-ups include:
- Gurnoor Brar
- Manav Suthar
Harsh Dubey has also been included in the squad.
Interest Among Cricket Fans in Guwahati
With Guwahati increasingly emerging as an important cricket city after hosting IPL and international matches at the Barsapara ACA Stadium, squad announcements involving Team India continue to attract major local attention.
Many cricket followers in Assam are particularly interested in:
- India’s transition phase in Test cricket
- New leadership combinations
- Opportunities for young domestic performers
Spin Department Takes Shape
India’s spin attack for the Test will include:
- Kuldeep Yadav
- Washington Sundar
- Manav Suthar
The selection reflects a mix of experience and experimentation ahead of future Test assignments.
India Looking for Strong Return
India return to Test cricket after their difficult home series defeat to South Africa last year.
The Afghanistan Test is expected to provide an opportunity for:
- Team rebuilding
- Leadership assessment
- Testing younger players under international conditions
India vs Afghanistan Test History
India and Afghanistan have met only once previously in Test cricket.
That match, played in Bengaluru in 2018, ended in a dominant Indian victory.
The upcoming fixture will mark only the second Test encounter between the two nations.
Complete India Test Squad
India Test squad:
- Shubman Gill (captain)
- KL Rahul (vice-captain)
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
- Sai Sudharsan
- Rishabh Pant
- Devdutt Padikkal
- Nitish Kumar Reddy
- Washington Sundar
- Kuldeep Yadav
- Mohammed Siraj
- Prasidh Krishna
- Manav Suthar
- Gurnoor Brar
- Harsh Dubey
- Dhruv Jurel
Growing Cricket Culture in Guwahati
With the Assam Cricket Association actively expanding cricket infrastructure and Guwahati regularly hosting major matches, interest in Indian cricket selections has grown significantly in the region.
Many local fans are now closely following:
- Squad transitions
- Domestic performers
- India’s long-term Test plans
What Happens Next
India will now prepare for the Afghanistan Test before shifting focus to the ODI series.
Cricket fans in Guwahati and across Assam are expected to closely follow how the new-look squad performs under Gill’s leadership.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is India’s vice-captain for the Afghanistan Test?
KL Rahul has been named vice-captain under captain Shubman Gill.
Which senior players are rested?
Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Axar Patel, and Akash Deep have been rested.
How many times have India and Afghanistan played Tests?
The two teams have met once before in Test cricket, in 2018.