New Delhi: Former India captain and legendary spinner Anil Kumble has predicted that India could hand Test debuts to two young players in the upcoming one-off Test against Afghanistan, scheduled to begin on June 6 in New Chandigarh. Sharing his likely playing XI, Kumble suggested that uncapped pacer Gurnoor Brar and left-arm spin-bowling all-rounder Harsh Dubey should be included in the final XI. According to the former skipper, India should opt for a balanced bowling attack featuring two specialist spinners and two frontline pacers.
Also Read: Kohli’s Fiery Send-Off to Tewatia Sparks Social Media
Kumble believes Gurnoor Brar should get the nod ahead of Prasidh Krishna, while Kuldeep Yadav and Harsh Dubey could form the spin duo for the match. The recommendation comes as India prepares for its first Test assignment of the season against a steadily improving Afghan side. India’s squad for the one-off Test is led by Shubman Gill, with KL Rahul serving as vice-captain. The squad includes a blend of experienced players and emerging talents such as Sai Sudharsan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Manav Suthar, Harsh Dubey and Gurnoor Brar.
India have rested key players, including Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja, for the match, creating opportunities for younger cricketers to stake their claim in the Test setup. The Test, which will be played from June 6 to 10, will be followed by a three-match ODI series between India and Afghanistan later in the month.
