Mohammed Siraj India Vs Afghanistan Test: Two Players Who Could Step In
India face Afghanistan in a one-off Test at MullanpurNew Chandigarh, scheduled from 6 to 10 June 2026, and the squad selection has already attracted considerable debate. Mohammed Siraj arrives at this fixture after an exhausting IPL 2026 campaign with the Gujarat Titans, having played 26 matches across four gruelling months of cricket. Several cricket analysts now argue openly that Siraj should be rested for this fixture, given the Test carries no World Test Championship points and the Mullanpur surface is widely expected to assist spinners far more than pace. So the question worth asking is straightforward: if Siraj is ruled out or rested, who fills his spot?
The 15-member squad India have already named provides two very credible answers.
1. Prasidh Krishna: Mohammed Siraj India Vs Afghanistan Test’s Readiest Replacement
Prasidh Krishna stands as the most natural like-for-like option. The Karnataka right-arm fast bowler stands 6 feet 3 inches tall and generates steep bounce consistently, which can trouble batters even on surfaces that do not traditionally reward pace. Krishna is listed as one of India’s premier speedsters in the squad announced for this Test, confirming the selectors’ view of him as a front-line weapon rather than a backup afterthought. He has Test experience against quality opposition and brings enough variety with the new ball to make a genuine impact.
Beyond raw pace, Krishna offers something tactically useful: the ability to create pressure in short spells without burning through overs quickly. On a Mullanpur track that may not do much for seamers, his bounce-based approach gives the captain an attacking option even when conditions dictate patience.
2. Gurnoor Brar: The Exciting Wild Card In The Mohammed Siraj India Vs Afghanistan Test Race
Gurnoor Brar is a 25-year-old right-arm fast bowler from Punjab who stands 6 feet 4.5 inches tall and has earned his maiden Test call-up for this fixture. Brar received his maiden Test call-up alongside fellow debutant Manav Suthar, which signals that the selectors genuinely consider him ready for the step up. His height gives him a natural ability to extract awkward bounce, and his IPL exposure with the Gujarat Titans suggests he already functions well under pressure.
If the team management opts to give this non-WTC Test a developmental flavour, Brar becomes a highly attractive choice precisely because this low-stakes fixture represents exactly the right environment for a debut. He carries the physical attributes to build a long Test career, and starting against Afghanistan at home offers a measured introduction.
India Vs Afghanistan Test: 3 Indian Players Set For Their Debut
The India vs Afghanistan Test is not part of the World Test Championship cycle, which genuinely reduces the risk attached to fielding a less experienced pace option alongside Prasidh Krishna. Both players travel with the squad to Mullanpur, both are fit, and both offer compelling reasons to feature if Mohammed Siraj India vs Afghanistan Test discussions conclude in a rest decision.
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