Team India management is considering resting key players like Shubman Gill and Jasprit Bumrah for the one-off Test in Afghanistan (June 6-10) due to a busy schedule after IPL 2026. With no WTC points at stake and a short turnaround time, workload management is a priority. The fringe players like Gurnoor Brar, Manav Suthar, Devdutt Padikkal, Harsh Dubey could earn their first calls instead. New Delhi: After the IPL 2026 ends on May 31, the Indian cricket team will face a busy international calendar and the management will monitor the workload before finalizing the squads for the subsequent assignments. With just a few days between the IPL final and the one-off Test against Afghanistan (June 6-10), the best players can rest in the red-ball competition and instead play the ODI series that follows.TimesofIndia.com has learned that the final decision will be made by the management, but the idea is being discussed and the selectors will be watching how far the regular Test players progress in the IPL. Discussions around this will remain fluid as there are no Test World Cup points on offer and there is a strong possibility that star players – including skipper Shubman Gill, Jasprit Bumrah and other regulars in both ODIs and Tests – will sit out.
Watch
Is T20 Ruining Indian Test Cricket? The situation could change if, for example, Gujarat Titans and Mumbai Indians are not in the playoffs. With all the options on the table, a final challenge is expected as the selectors finalize the squad for the Test and three ODIs.“There is not a big gap between the IPL final and the Test in Afghanistan, so the selectors and the management will be careful not to burn out the players because there are three ODIs, then the white-ball series in England. “There are no WTC points in the Afghanistan Test and the parties involved have to manage the workload carefully as some of the players would be on the road for almost two months and have a lot of cricket for the rest of the year.” “ODIs and WTC are the priority right now and you want your best players fit, fresh and available for four Tests – two against Sri Lanka and two against New Zealand – and many ODIs. Why even risk Bumrah for this Test?” said a source following the development.
Shubman Gill (AP Photo)
It is further understood that the selectors have been eyeing fast bowlers and spinners on the domestic circuit; A first call-up could be on the cards for the Mullanpur match from June 6. Gurnoor Brar has impressed the men who matter, as has Manav Suthar’s left arm.Both were part of the India A set-up and will be included in the scheme of things along with Harsh Dubey, Auqib Nabi and Devdutt Padikkal if workload management opens up slots. Nitish Kumar Reddy’s improvement in the bowling department will keep him in the discussions.“One thing is clear with this selection panel: they rarely jump the gun. It’s no secret that Gurnoor and Manav have been very impressive, as have Harsh, Auqib and Devdutt. It all boils down to discussions between the think tank and the medical team, as optimal use of resources will be key here. There is no point in putting your star players under the sun, which no WTC offers.
Auqib Nabi. (Image: File)
“And there is little turnaround time between a Test and ODI series. So again you find yourself in a situation where a Test and ODI regular – say the likes of Gill, Bumrah, KL Rahul and even Ravindra Jadeja – changes formats from T20 to Test to ODI in less than a month. The captain and coach have been very vocal about such planning and may have had a source in the past.India have a busy schedule in June: Tests and ODIs vs Afghanistan, T20Is vs Ireland – and then a tour of England for a white-ball series with three T20Is and as many ODIs. Right after that, there is a three-match T20I series against Zimbabwe from July 23.
Vote
Which format do you think the Indian cricket team should prioritize in June?
