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India to Host Afghanistan for Historic Test & ODIs in June Post-IPL

The BCCI has announced that Afghanistan will tour India in June for a one-off Test and a three-match ODI series, marking their first bilateral series against India. The Test will be played in Mohali, while the ODIs will be held in Dharamshala, Lucknow, and Chennai. The series will feature the return of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to the Indian ODI side. Afghanistan will be under new head coach Richard Pybus for this tour.

Key Points: India vs Afghanistan Test & ODI Series Schedule Announced

  • One-off Test in Mohali from June 6-10
  • Three ODIs in Dharamshala, Lucknow, Chennai
  • Kohli & Sharma return for ODIs
  • Afghanistan's first bilateral series vs India
2 min read

India to host Afghanistan for one-off Test, three ODIs in June: BCCI

BCCI confirms Afghanistan's tour of India for a one-off Test and three ODIs in June 2024. Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma set to feature.

"The series... will mark Afghanistan's first bilateral series against India - BCCI Statement"

New Delhi, March 2

Afghanistan will tour India for a one-off Test and three ODIs in June, said the Board of Control for Cricket in India on Monday. The series, to be held soon after the 2026 Indian Premier League ends, will mark Afghanistan's first bilateral series against India after their last face-off happened via a three-game T20I series in January 2024.

As per a statement by secretary Devajit Saikia, the Test match will be played at the PCA Stadium in New Chandigarh from June 6 to June 10. The ODI series will commence on June 14 at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala, with the subsequent matches scheduled to happen at the BRSABV Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow and MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on June 17 and 20 respectively.

The last time Afghanistan played a Test against India, it marked their debut in Test cricket in June 2018. In that match, Afghanistan lost to India by an innings and 262 runs at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.

The three-game ODI series will see batting stalwarts Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma return to action for India, with both former captains now featuring only in 50-over international games after retiring from Tests and T20Is. In the 50-over format, India and Afghanistan have met four times, with the former winning three games, while the other meeting ended in a tie in the 2018 Asia Cup.

After the series against Afghanistan, Kohli and Rohit will be seen in action in the white-ball tour of England, which comprises five T20Is and three ODIs, starting from July 1. The ODI leg of the series will commence on July 14.

Recently, Afghanistan appointed Richard Pybus as their new head coach for all formats, and he will join the team ahead of the white-ball series against Sri Lanka, happening in the UAE next month. Pybus, who coached Pakistan and Bangladesh previously, has taken over from Jonathan Trott, who left once their T20 World Cup campaign ended in the league stage.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
Interesting scheduling right after the IPL. Players will be in good touch, but fatigue could be a factor. Dharamshala and Chennai are fantastic venues for ODIs. Looking forward to it!
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Arjun K
While I'm excited for the cricket, I hope BCCI also uses this series to give chances to some younger players. We know what Kohli and Sharma can do. Let's see some new faces who can be groomed for the 2027 WC.
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Priya S
Afghanistan's journey in cricket is truly inspiring. From playing in exile to now touring India for a Test match. Hope the PCA stadium gives them a warm welcome. Their spin attack against our batters will be the key contest!
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Michael C
Good to see India continuing to support Afghan cricket. The political situation there is tough, but sport builds bridges. Hope it's a well-contested series.
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Karthik V
Test match in Chandigarh in June? That's peak summer. Hope the pitch has something for the bowlers and it's not just a flat batting track. Also, the schedule is too packed for our senior players. They need rest before the England tour.

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