India to Host Afghanistan in June 2026: New Chandigarh Awarded Historic Test Match
NEW DELHI – The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) officially confirmed on Monday that India will host Afghanistan for a bilateral series in June 2026. The multi-format tour includes a one-off Test match and three One-Day Internationals (ODIs), serving as vital preparation for both squads amidst a congested international calendar.
The series marks a significant development for cricket in Punjab, with the BCCI allocating the tour opener to the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur, New Chandigarh. Following the red-ball fixture, the action will shift to Dharamshala, Lucknow, and Chennai for the 50-over contests.
India vs. Afghanistan 2026 Series Schedule
According to the itinerary released by the board, the tour spans from June 6 to June 20, 2026. The ODIs are scheduled as day-night fixtures, commencing at 1:30 PM IST.
| Date | Match | Venue | Time (IST) |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 6 – June 10 | One-off Test | New Chandigarh (Mullanpur) | 9:30 AM |
| June 14 | 1st ODI | HPCA Stadium, Dharamshala | 1:30 PM |
| June 17 | 2nd ODI | Ekana Stadium, Lucknow | 1:30 PM |
| June 20 | 3rd ODI | MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai | 1:30 PM |
Venues and Tactical Context
The selection of venues offers distinct challenges for the visiting Afghan side. The series opener in New Chandigarh presents conditions that have historically favored seam movement early on, testing the defensive technique of Afghanistan’s top order against India’s pace attack. The subsequent shift to Dharamshala for the first ODI maintains the advantage for seamers, while the final two matches in Lucknow and Chennai are expected to assist spin, playing into the strengths of Afghanistan’s world-class spin department.
India’s Current Form: T20 World Cup Success
The announcement arrives while the Men in Blue are deep in their campaign at the ICC T20 World Cup 2026. Led by captain Suryakumar Yadav, India recently secured a spot in the semi-finals following a tense Super 8 victory over the West Indies at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. Chasing a competitive target, India clinched the win by five wickets, demonstrating resilience in high-pressure situations.
While the current focus remains on the T20 format, the upcoming series against Afghanistan represents a quick transition back to red-ball cricket for the Indian squad. The one-off Test will require rapid adjustment from the T20 tempo, a challenge the management will need to address immediately following the World Cup conclusion.
For Afghanistan, this tour offers another opportunity to solidify their standing in the Test arena against a top-tier nation, following their gradual integration into the Future Tours Programme (FTP).