India, June 5 -- After an action-packed IPL season, the attention shifts to red-ball cricket, with India taking on Afghanistan in a one-off Test, starting on June 6 at the Maharaja Singh PCA Stadium in Mullanpur, New Chandigarh. This only Test marks India's return to the longest format since the heartbreaking series defeat in South Africa in November last year.

The Indian team management, led by head coach Gautam Gambhir, took some big calls while finalising the squad for the home assignment. Shubman Gill continues as the captain, but KL Rahul has been named his deputy, replacing Rishabh Pant.

Star pacer Jasprit Bumrah has been rested from the Test match as well as the subsequent three-match ODI series against Afghanistan. Veteran all-r...