With the high-octane drama of IPL 2026 officially in the rearview mirror, the focus shifts entirely to the ultimate format of the game. Team India has officially kicked off its preparations for the upcoming one-off Test match against Afghanistan, scheduled to commence on June 6th at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh.

In a freshly released video, the Indian cricketers can be seen shed their colorful T20 gear and seamlessly switching into the classic whites, signaling their transition into red-ball mode.

Inside India’s Practice Session: Rahul and Jaiswal Sweat it Out in the Nets

The BCCI recently shared the first footage of the team's training camp, giving fans a glimpse of the intensity behind the scenes. The session began with high-energy fielding drills to sharpen the players' reflexes, before transitioning into rigorous net sessions.

• Tactical Battle: Star batsman KL Rahul was seen grinding hard in the nets, testing his defensive and attacking technique against the crafty variations of Kuldeep Yadav and other premier Indian spinners.

• Youthful Focus: Dynamic opener Yashasvi Jaiswal also spent significant time adapting his aggressive style to the demands of the red ball.

• The Coach's Eye: Head coach Gautam Gambhir anchored the video, keeping a characteristically sharp and watchful eye over every player's movements and technique.

A Historic Second Meeting

This upcoming clash marks only the second time in cricket history that India and Afghanistan will face each other in the traditional Test format. Their maiden encounter took place back in 2018 at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, where a dominant Indian side clinical dismantled Afghanistan, winning by a massive margin of an innings and 262 runs.

A Grand Debut for New Chandigarh

After a long gap of eight years, the two Asian nations are ready to battle it out in whites once again. Adding to the excitement, the match will serve as the official international debut for the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh, making it a historic occasion for the venue and the fans alike.