3 Major career milestones Indian players can achieve in the IND vs AFG Test

After a record‑breaking IPL season filled with drama and spectacle, the spotlight now shifts to the purity of red‑ball cricket. India are set to host Afghanistan in a one‑off Test at New Chandigarh, marking the return of the longest format to home soil after six months.

Crucially, this fixture carries no impact on the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025‑27 cycle. With no points at stake, Indian players can ease back into the rigours of Test cricket without the added pressure of the WTC standings. Yet, for several stars, the match holds immense personal significance as they stand on the brink of career milestones.

Shubman Gill Nears 1000 Runs as Captain

India’s skipper Shubman Gill is just 50 runs shy of completing 1000 Test runs as captain. Reaching this landmark would place him in illustrious company alongside Virat Kohli, Sourav Ganguly, MS Dhoni, Sunil Gavaskar, and Kapil Dev, among others, further cementing his credentials as India’s leader in the format.

Rishabh Pant chases six-hitting and wicketkeeping history

Wicketkeeper‑batter Rishabh Pant is on the verge of two major milestones. With 94 sixes already in his Test career, he needs just six more to become only the fourth player in history to smash 100 sixes in the format, joining Ben Stokes (136), Brendon McCullum (107), and Adam Gilchrist (100).

Pant will also become only the third wicketkeeper to play 50 or more Tests for India, following in the footsteps of MS Dhoni (90) and Syed Kirmani (88). This dual achievement would underline his stature as one of India’s most impactful wicketkeeper‑batters in Test history.

Mohammed Siraj eyes 150 Test wickets

For Mohammed Siraj, the challenge is tougher but equally rewarding. The pacer requires 11 wickets to reach the 150‑wicket milestone in Test cricket. Achieving this would see him join a distinguished list of Indian bowling greats, including Anil Kumble, Harbhajan Singh, and Zaheer Khan, among others.

On Indian pitches, where seamers often toil for breakthroughs, Siraj’s pursuit of 150 wickets will demand every ounce of skill and persistence.

Though the India vs Afghanistan clash may not influence the WTC standings, it offers a stage for individual brilliance. For Gill, Pant, and Siraj, this one‑off Test is more than just a warm‑up; it is a chance to etch their names deeper into cricketing history.