India's Test squad arrived in New Chandigarh on Tuesday in preparation for their one-off Test against Afghanistan, which is set to begin on June 6, 2026, at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur. Led by captain Shubman Gill, the team includes notable players such as vice-captain KL Rahul, wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant, and all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy. This match marks India's return to red-ball cricket following the conclusion of IPL 2026 and is seen as an opportunity for the team to regain confidence after a disappointing 2-0 series defeat to South Africa last year. With challenging tours to Sri Lanka and New Zealand on the horizon later this year, the match against Afghanistan serves as a crucial platform for India to refine their skills and build momentum. For Afghanistan, this Test represents a chance to assess their growth in the format against a top-tier team. Their previous encounter in 2018 saw India dominate, winning by an innings and 262 runs, making this upcoming match significant as it will be their first red-ball clash in eight years.