The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially announced India’s next international assignment — a one-off Test and a three-match ODI series against Afghanistan in June 2025.
The series will mark India’s return to Test and 50-over cricket after a significant gap. While Shubman Gill is set to lead the side in the longest format, the ODI leg of the tour will draw massive attention as former captains Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are expected to feature in the format they continue to play.
Historic Tour for Afghanistan
This will be Afghanistan’s first-ever bilateral ODI series against India on Indian soil. It will also be only the second Test encounter between the two nations.
The two teams previously met in Afghanistan’s maiden Test in 2018 at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
New Chandigarh to Host Landmark Test
The one-off Test match will be played at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh (formerly Mullanpur). It will be the first Test match ever hosted at the venue.
The Test is scheduled to begin just days after the conclusion of the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) final, making it a quick transition from franchise cricket to international duties.
Full Schedule: Afghanistan Tour of India 2025
| Match | Date | Venue | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| One-Off Test | 6–10 June | New Chandigarh | 9:30 AM |
| 1st ODI | 14 June | Dharamshala | 1:30 PM |
| 2nd ODI | 16 June | Lucknow | 1:30 PM |
| 3rd ODI | 20 June | Chennai | 1:30 PM |
India’s Return to Red-Ball Cricket
The Test match will be India’s first in the format since their home series loss to South Africa in November last year. Notably, this match will not be part of the World Test Championship (WTC) cycle — making it India’s first non-WTC Test since the tournament began in 2019.
ODI Focus Shifts Towards 2027 World Cup
The ODI series will be India’s first 50-over assignment since their home defeat to New Zealand in January. It signals the beginning of a crucial phase as the team builds towards the 2027 ICC Cricket World Cup.
With Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli expected to anchor the batting line-up, the series provides valuable preparation time in the format ahead of the next global white-ball event.
Post T20 World Cup Assignment
The Afghanistan series will also mark India’s first international engagement after the 2026 T20 World Cup, offering the team an opportunity to reset and recalibrate across formats.
As preparations intensify for upcoming global tournaments, the June 2025 series promises both competitive cricket and historic milestones for both sides.
Originally published on 24×7-news.com.
