Tezzbuzz Desk- In the only Test match being played between India and Afghanistan, Indian captain Shubman Gill has won the toss and decided to bat first. Even though this match is not a part of the World Test Championship (WTC), it is being considered very important for both the teams as preparation for the future.

The biggest news of this match in the playing eleven of the Indian team is the Test debut of young off-spinner Manav Suthar. Suthar has been a part of Gujarat Titans in IPL and now he has got the Test cap for the first time. The team management is considering him as a long-term option.

India has given opportunity to many young players in this match. Sai Sudarshan has been fielded at number-3 in the team, while without experienced players the team has entered the field with a new combination.

After the toss, Indian captain Shubman Gill said that considering the hot and humid conditions, batting first was the right decision. He said that the pitch will gradually become slower and lower, so scoring runs in the beginning will be important. Gill also said that this ground is special for him because he has grown up playing here.

Regarding Manav Suthar’s debut, he said that it is an important step for the team and the focus is on making the right combination in view of the upcoming Test matches.

Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi also said after losing the toss that he also wanted to bat first because the wicket looked good. He said that his team is ready for the challenge and they will benefit from the good preparation camp held in Kabul.

Afghanistan is looking at this match as an opportunity to strengthen their Test cricket experience. The team has chosen a combination of three fast bowlers and two spinners for this match.

Playing eleven of both the teams

India: KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sai Sudarshan, Shubman Gill (captain), Rishabh Pant (wicketkeeper), Dhruv Jurel, Washington Sundar, Manav Suthar, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna.

Afghanistan: Sediqullah Atal, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Abdul Malik, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (captain), Afsar Zazai (wicketkeeper), Azmatullah Umarzai, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Nangialia Kharote, Ziaur Rehman Sharifi, Mohammad Saleem Safi.

This test match being played in Mullanpur is being considered an important part of the future preparation for both the teams. While India is testing young players, Afghanistan has entered the field with the aim of strengthening its Test cricket identity.