India squad for Afghanistan series: Pant removed as vice-captain, Bumrah rested as BCCI hands 4 maiden call-ups

India squad Announcement Live: Ajit Agarkar explained the decision to appoint KL Rahul as the new Test vice-captain under Shubman Gill, replacing Rishabh Pant in the leadership group, highlighting the need for experience and stability in the side ahead of key assignments.

"KL provides us the necessary experience that you need just in case. He obviously had a really good trip of England, and did well against West Indies," Agarkar said.

India squad Announcement Live: BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar provided a key update on Jasprit Bumrah’s fitness and availability following the selection meeting, addressing ongoing workload management concerns around the premier fast bowler.

"Bumrah will be back when we tour England. He is working on his workload," Agarkar told reporters after the selection meeting.

India squad Announcement Live: Ravindra Jadeja has been rested from both the Test and ODI squads for the Afghanistan series as part of workload management. The decision has been taken to manage his workload and keep him fresh for the busy international schedule ahead. Jadeja has been a regular feature across formats, contributing with both bat and ball, but the team management has opted for rotation in this series. His absence gives an opportunity for other all-round options to come into the squad as India look to balance experience with bench strength.

India squad Announcement Live: Rishabh Pant has been left out of India’s ODI squad, with selectors opting for Ishan Kishan as the second wicketkeeper alongside KL Rahul. While Pant remains a key figure in India’s plans across formats, the management appears to be leaning towards Kishan’s current white-ball consistency and flexibility in the batting order.

India squad Announcement Live: India have handed four maiden call-ups across the Test and ODI squads, with Prince Yadav, Gurnoor Brar, Harsh Dubey, and Manav earning their first national selection after strong domestic and IPL performances. The move reflects a clear push towards rewarding emerging talent and building squad depth across formats.

India squad Announcement Live: KL Rahul has been appointed India’s new Test vice-captain, replacing Rishabh Pant in the leadership group. Rahul’s calm approach and recent contributions in the Test format are believed to have influenced the decision, while Pant continues to remain a key player in the squad despite the leadership change.

India squad Announcement Live: Jasprit Bumrah has been rested from both Test and ODI squads as part of workload management. The decision has been taken by the selectors and team management, keeping in mind his long-term fitness and the heavy international calendar ahead. Bumrah, who remains a key figure in India’s pace attack across formats, has been carefully rotated since returning from injury to avoid any risk of recurrence.

India squad Announcement Live: ODIs Squad - Shubman Gill, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Prince Yadav, Gurnoor Brar, Harsh Dubey.

India squad Announcement Live: Test Squad - Shubman Gill (c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul (VC), Sai Sudharsan, Rishabh Pant, Devdutt Padikkal, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Manav Suthar, Gurnoor Brar, Dhruv Jurel, Harsh Dubey

India squad Announcement Live: Rishabh Pant’s place in India’s ODI squad is reportedly under pressure as selectors weigh their wicketkeeping options ahead of the upcoming series. With KL Rahul expected to remain the first-choice keeper, the battle for the second spot is heating up between Pant and Sanju Samson. While Pant brings proven international experience and match-winning ability, Samson’s recent white-ball form and consistency have strengthened his case.

India squad Announcement Live: India’s ODI squad selection is also expected to involve a key discussion around Hardik Pandya and his workload management. The all-rounder’s fitness and ability to handle back-to-back games remain a central concern for the selectors and team management, especially given his recent injury setbacks. While Pandya’s impact with both bat and ball makes him a crucial part of India’s white-ball plans, there is a growing emphasis on using him carefully across formats to avoid overexertion.

India squad Announcement Live: India are expected to name a full-strength squad for the upcoming Test against Afghanistan, with most senior players likely to be included as selectors look to maintain continuity in red-ball cricket. The only major point of discussion appears to be Jasprit Bumrah, whose workload management remains a key concern given his recent injury history and packed international schedule. While the management is keen to utilise him in important matches, there is also a strong case for rest and rotation to keep him fresh for longer assignments ahead.

India squad Announcement Live: The selection meeting is currently underway, with final discussions expected to wrap up shortly. The India squad for the upcoming Afghanistan series is likely to be announced around 4 PM today.

India squad Announcement Live: Prince Yadav has been one of the breakout fast bowlers of IPL 2026 and has steadily grown in confidence as the season progressed. The right-arm pacer has claimed 16 wickets in 12 matches at an average of 24.00, while maintaining a decent economy rate of 8.53 in a tournament dominated by batters. His biggest strength has been his knack for picking wickets at crucial stages rather than simply containing runs. Prince began the season as a relatively unfamiliar name but soon established himself as a reliable wicket-taking option, especially through the middle overs where he frequently broke partnerships under pressure. His performances have certainly brought him into the selectors’ radar. While a Test debut against Afghanistan may still be slightly premature given India’s preference for experienced red-ball bowlers, the ODI series could present a more realistic opportunity for a maiden India call-up as selectors continue to look at young pace options ahead of the next major white-ball cycle.

India squad Announcement Live: Mohammed Shami began the IPL season looking close to his old self, striking regularly with the new ball and showing the sharp seam movement that has made him India’s most dependable red-ball pacer over the years. However, the second half of the campaign saw a noticeable dip in impact. After 12 matches, Shami has managed only 10 wickets at an average of 41.40 and an economy of 8.81, numbers that reflect how inconsistent his spells became as the tournament progressed. There were still flashes of quality, especially in short bursts with the new ball, but he struggled to sustain pressure and looked short of rhythm in crucial phases. Despite that, India could still view him as a valuable option for the one-off Test against Afghanistan because of his vast experience, ability to exploit seam conditions and proven record in the longest format.

India squad Announcement Live: India's squads for the Afghanistan series are expected to announced today after the selection committee meeting in Guwahati. The BCCI has not confirmed exact time yet, however, it is expected to be made public around 4:30 PM IST.

India squad Announcement Live: Mohammed Shami could become one of the more interesting names in the Test squad. The veteran pacer has not played a Test for Indian since the 2023 WTC final, so any recall would carry real significance.

India squad Announcement Live: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's name has entered the wide India conversation after his explosive IPL 2026 season, but the strongest current signal is still an India A call-up rather than being in the senior squad. The 15-year-old has already been picked for India A's one-day tri-series in Sri Lanka, a clear sign that the selectors want to move into the next layer of the pathway.

India squad announcement live: Virat Kohli’s selection should remain straightforward if India announce the ODI squad for the Afghanistan series today. He is fit, active in the IPL and remains central to India’s 2027 World Cup roadmap, even as the selectors begin shaping the next 50-over cycle.

Rohit Sharma’s case carries more uncertainty. His ODI value is not the issue, but his fitness is. Rohit suffered a hamstring injury during IPL 2026, and reports have placed his match readiness among the key concerns before the squad call. That leaves the selectors with a direct choice: use Afghanistan for ODI rhythm, or avoid any risk if the injury concern has not fully cleared.

India squad Announcement Live: Sanju Samson could remain in the Afghanistan ODI discussion if India announce the squad today, but the backup wicketkeeper-batter slot may not be a straight fight on form alone. Reports have placed both Samson and Ishan Kishan in the conversation, with KL Rahul still expected to remain India’s first-choice ODI keeper.

That leaves the selectors judging the reserve role by flexibility. Ishan offers a left-handed option and can bat at the top, while Samson brings experience and middle-order ability. The softer selection chatter suggests Ishan may have a slight edge, but Samson’s name staying in the frame shows India have not completely closed the door on him in the 50-over setup.

India squad Announcement Live: Yashasvi Jaiswal’s ODI place could become one of the sharper calls if India name the Afghanistan squad today. His Test and T20I value is already clear, but the 50-over setup has a more crowded top-order equation.

India have Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli as established ODI names, while keeper-batter combinations also affect how much room remains at the top. That makes Jaiswal’s selection less straightforward than his talent suggests. The Afghanistan ODIs could either keep him in India’s wider 2027 World Cup planning or show that the selectors want him to wait for a clearer opening in the format.

India squad Announcement Live: If Indian announce the ODI squad, KL Rahul's role could offer the clearest sign of continuity in the 50-over setup. The wicketkeeper debate has several moving parts, but Rahul is not the name under immediate pressure.

India squad Announcement Live: If India announce their ODI squad along with Test group today, Rishabh Pant's name will become one of the most closely watched call. Pant's place in the 50-over setup is no longer automatic, with his recent IPL form for LSG failing to make a strong case at the right time.

India squad Announcement Live: Nitish Kumar Reddy's name remains interesting because his case is no longer built only around batting promise. His bowling has developed enough to make him a more serious seam-bowling all-rounder option, especially for a one-off Test where India may look beyond the usual structure.

India squad Announcement Live: Devdutt Padikkal could comeback into the red-ball conversation if India decide to rest regular names for the one-off Test against Afghanistan. Padikkal has looked fluent for RCB this IPL season, with his domestic form giving him a further push.