Rashid Khan (AP Photo)
Afghanistan’s star all-rounder Rashid Khan has hinted that he may miss the upcoming one-off Test against India, scheduled for June 2026 in Mullanpur, as he continues to manage his workload following back surgery.The 27-year-old, who underwent lower back surgery after the 2023 ODI World Cup, revealed that doctors have advised him to avoid red-ball cricket. While the opportunity to play a Test in India is appealing, Rashid has made it clear that his long-term fitness and availability for the 2027 ODI World Cup remain his top priorities.
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Rashid Khan opens surgery, poor last season and bowling rhythm Medical advice and workload managementRashid admitted that playing Test cricket poses a significant risk to his recovery.“It’s a very tough question. The first thing the doctor told me was to stay away from red-ball cricket,” he said after Gujarat Titans’ win over Delhi Capitals in IPL 2026.Against medical advice, Rashid appeared in last year’s Test against Zimbabwe, where he bowled 54 overs and took 11 wickets, underscoring both his importance to Afghanistan and the physical demands of the format.Focus on white ball cricketThe leg-spinner emphasized that he is more comfortable continuing in white-ball formats, especially ODIs. “I enjoy ODIs and I am in good shape to play them for a longer period. But if I want a long career, I have to manage my workload carefully,” he added.Given Afghanistan’s limited Test schedule, just 12 matches away from achieving Test status in 2017, Rashid suggested prioritizing longevity over sporadic appearances in the longest format made more sense.When asked about the upcoming Test against India, Rashid remained cautious and non-committal. “I will take it easy and focus on preparing for the World Cup. If something happens to my back in this test, it could affect my career,” he said.India vs Afghanistan Test DetailsIndia is set to host Afghanistan for a one-off Test from June 6 to June 10, 2026 at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh. The match will kick off Afghanistan’s multi-format tour of India but is not part of the 2025-27 ICC World Test Championship cycle.
