Is the India vs Afghanistan one-off Test a part of the ongoing ICC WTC 2025-27 cycle?

Test cricket makes its return to Indian soil after a six‑month hiatus as Team India prepare to host Afghanistan in a one‑off Test in New Chandigarh from June 6 onwards. The fixture comes as players transition back to the longer format following two months of IPL intensity.

India’s squad has undergone notable changes since their last home series against South Africa in November. Rishabh Pant has been relieved of vice‑captaincy duties to allow him to focus solely on his batting and wicketkeeping, with KL Rahul appointed deputy to skipper Shubman Gill. Devdutt Padikkal, fresh from a prolific Ranji Trophy season where he amassed 543 runs at an average of 60.33, returns to the red‑ball setup.

Meanwhile, selectors have opted to rest Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja to manage workloads, handing maiden call‑ups to Manav Suthar and Gurnoor Brar.

Afghanistan, on the other hand, will be without two key names. Rashid Khan has been advised by doctors to avoid the demands of Test cricket, while Ibrahim Zadran continues his recovery from a leg injury.

Where does this Test stand in the WTC?

Despite being a full five‑day contest, the India vs Afghanistan clash will not count towards the ongoing ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025‑27 cycle. The match carries no WTC points and is essentially a standalone fixture designed to promote Test cricket.

In fact, Afghanistan are not part of the current WTC cycle. This game is therefore more of a symbolic advert for the format rather than a fixture with championship implications.

While the absence of WTC points may diminish its competitive weight, the match still holds significance. For India, it offers a platform to test new combinations and ease players back into the rhythm of red‑ball cricket. For Afghanistan, it is an opportunity to prove a point in the longest format, even without their marquee names.

The India vs Afghanistan one‑off Test is a five‑day fixture, but it is not a part of the ICC World Test Championship 2025‑27 cycle and will have no bearing on the points table.