‘My eyes will be on him’: Ashwin reveals the one Indian debutant he is most looking forward to seeing

Vidarbha’s Harsh Dubey (PTI Photo) India’s preparations for the upcoming one-off Test against Afghanistan have generated considerable interest, especially as several up-and-coming domestic performers have been given opportunities at the top level. With senior all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja unavailable for the match in New Chandigarh, the focus has shifted towards the new generation of spin-bowling talent hoping to make it big in Test cricket.Among those attracting attention is Vidarbha all-rounder Harsh Dubey, whose impressive performances in domestic cricket and the IPL have put him in contention for an international debut. Former India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has admitted that Dubey is the player he is most looking forward to seeing during the competition.Talking about JioStar, Ashwin believes that Kuldeep Yadav will shoulder the responsibility of leading India’s spin attack in Jadeja’s absence. He feels the left-hander’s recent form and experience in Indian conditions could prove decisive against Afghanistan.“Kuldeep Yadav will lead the spin attack against Afghanistan in the absence of Ravindra Jadeja. He played with great pace and confidence. His ability to spin the ball both ways and his experience in domestic conditions make him a huge threat. Washington Sundar will play a supporting role. He is more defensive, containing a bowler who can also bat in the lower order. Both will be key to India’s success in this Test match,” he said.Ashwin, however, reserved special praise for Dubey, whose rise in the domestic rankings has caught the attention of several former cricketers. While acknowledging that the team management could have picked either Dubey or Rajasthani all-rounder Manav Suthar, the veteran spinner said he was particularly excited about the Vidarbha player’s prospects.“However, my eyes will be on Harsh Dubey. I wonder if he will get a chance. We will have to wait and see if the team goes with Manav Suthar or Harsh Dubey. But I am particularly interested in Dubey because of his strong domestic season. He also had a very good IPL season. These performances are in his favour. I look forward to seeing him make his debut,” he added.Dubey enhanced his credentials during IPL 2026 with Sunrisers Hyderabad, taking eight wickets in eight matches at an average of 28.50. His first-class record is equally impressive. He took 133 wickets in 27 matches at an average of 23.26, including nine five-wicket hauls and two ten-wicket hauls. He also contributed significantly with the bat, scoring 1027 runs at an average of 25.65 and scoring nine half-centuries.Meanwhile, Suthar has built a strong domestic record of his own. The Rajasthan all-rounder has taken 129 wickets from 29 first-class matches at an average of 25.76, with six five-wicket hauls and three ten-wicket hauls. His batting returns include 945 runs, highlighted by a century and six fifties. During IPL 2026, he featured for Gujarat Titans and picked up two wickets from four appearances.Former India wicketkeeper-batsman Saba Karim also shared his thoughts ahead of the Test, focusing on India’s pace attack. According to Karim, Mohammed Siraj will have to shoulder more responsibility in Jasprit Bumrah’s unavailability, pointing to Siraj’s successful tour of England as evidence that he is capable of leading the attack.“He (Siraj) has pace, aggression and the ability to swing the ball both ways. But he will need support from the other end as well. The good thing is that he will have Gurnoor Brar, a young, tall right-arm pacer, standing at 6ft 4″ alongside him. His height gives him a natural bounce which can be useful not only on the Indian pitches for the young Siraj but also for the young players coming through the system,” added Saba.Siraj heads to the Afghanistan Test after finishing as India’s leading wicket-taker in last year’s Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy against England, taking 23 wickets at an average of 32.43, including two five-wickets and a best of 6/70.Alongside him could be uncapped pacer Gurnoor Brar, whose height and bounce have earned him plaudits from pundits. The young fast bowler took 52 wickets in 18 first-class matches at an average of 27.30 with best figures of 5/14.With several promising youngsters and key senior players missing from the squad, the one-off Test against Afghanistan could provide a valuable insight into the next generation of Indian talent, with Harsh Dubey attracting the most attention.