Afghanistan to Tour India for Historic Test and ODI Series in June

New Delhi, March 2026 : Afghanistan will tour India for a landmark bilateral series in June, featuring a one-off Test match and three One-Day Internationals, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced on Monday. The tour, scheduled shortly after the conclusion of the 2026 Indian Premier League, will mark Afghanistan’s first full bilateral series against India, underscoring the growing stature of Afghan cricket on the international stage.

According to BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia, the lone Test match will be played at the PCA Stadium from June 6 to June 10. This red-ball fixture carries special significance, as it represents only the second Test encounter between the two sides. Afghanistan’s previous Test against India came in June 2018, when they made their debut in the longest format at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. On that occasion, India registered a comprehensive victory by an innings and 262 runs.

Following the Test, the focus will shift to the three-match ODI series, beginning on June 14 at the scenic HPCA Stadium. The second ODI will be played at the BRSABV Ekana Cricket Stadium on June 17, while the series will conclude at the iconic MA Chidambaram Stadium on June 20. The choice of venues across different regions reflects the BCCI’s intent to give fans nationwide an opportunity to witness international cricket.

The ODI leg of the series is expected to draw considerable attention, with batting greats Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma set to return to action for India. Both former captains have stepped away from Test and T20I cricket and are now focusing exclusively on the 50-over format. Their presence adds star power to the series and provides India with experience as they continue to prepare for future ICC events.

In ODIs, India and Afghanistan have faced each other four times so far. India have emerged victorious on three occasions, while the remaining match ended in a dramatic tie during the 2018 Asia Cup, a game remembered for its intensity and Afghanistan’s spirited performance.

After the Afghanistan series, Kohli and Rohit will next be seen on India’s white-ball tour of England, which includes five T20Is and three ODIs starting July 1, with the ODI leg commencing on July 14.

Meanwhile, Afghanistan are entering a new phase under recently appointed head coach Richard Pybus, who will oversee the team across all formats. Pybus, who has previously coached Pakistan and Bangladesh, has taken over from Jonathan Trott, following Afghanistan’s exit at the league stage of the T20 World Cup. His first major assignment will be the upcoming white-ball series against Sri Lanka in the UAE, ahead of the challenging India tour.

1st Test – 6th to 10th June, Mullanpur.

1st ODI – 14th June, Dharamshala.

2nd ODI – 17th June, Lucknow.

3rd ODI – 20th June, Chennai.