India aim to resolve questions about their Test combination when they meet Afghanistan in a one-off match at New Chandigarh starting Saturday. Although Afghanistan are clear underdogs, the hosts want to avoid repeating errors from their recent home series loss to South Africa. The sides last played a Test in Bengaluru in 2018 during Afghanistan’s debut match. India won comfortably by dismissing the visitors twice inside two days. Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi hopes for a stronger display against an Indian side still refining its lineup. Experience levels differ sharply. Afghanistan have contested only 12 Tests since their 2018 debut, while India have played 67 in the same span. Rishabh Pant alone has appeared in 49 Tests since then. Only KL Rahul remains from the 2018 Indian XI, and just Shahidi and Rahmat Shah survive from the Afghan side. Afghanistan’s current batters have scored nine Test centuries combined, compared with 39 for the present Indian squad. Afghanistan held a training camp in Jalalabad, yet facing a far more seasoned opponent presents their greatest test.
