New Chandigarh, June 6 -- Afghanistan may enter their one-off Test against India as underdogs, but head coach Richard Pybus sees the contest as an important opportunity to assess the team's growth as they build towards a stronger future in the longest format. The match at the PCA Stadium here will be Afghanistan's first Test since October 2025, when they suffered an innings-and-73-run defeat to Zimbabwe in Harare. The long gap between matches highlights one of the biggest challenges facing Afghanistan's Test ambitions - a lack of regular fixtures. "Our challenge in Test cricket is, first and foremost, getting more fixtures so we can continue to evolve as a team," Pybus said. The former South Africa and Pakistan coach is preparing for his first assignment since taking charge of Afghanistan and has spent the initial weeks understanding the players and the environment. "This is my first match in charge. The focus so far has been on getting to know the players, understanding them and building relationships," he said. Pybus has been encouraged by the strength of Afghanistan's domestic structure and the talent emerging through the ranks. "I've been very impressed by the quality of first-class cricket and the depth that exists within the system," he said. He also credited former head coach Jonathan Trott for helping establish a strong foundation during his four-year tenure. "Jonathan did an outstanding job over four years, helping to develop this side and putting good structures in place," Pybus said....