BCCI has officially announced the India vs Afghanistan 2026 schedule — one Test and three ODIs in June. Here’s everything you need to know, including the RO-KO comeback fans have been waiting for
New Delhi: For cricket fans, the wait is almost over.The BCCI has released the schedule for Afghanistan’s tour of India in June 2026. The series will include one Test match and three ODIs.
But what has everyone buzzing is the expected return of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to the Indian jersey. This time, they are likely to return in the 50-over format.
Full Series Schedule
The tour will begin with a one-off Test at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium. The match will be played from June 6 to June 10. Play will start at 9:30 AM IST.
The ODI series will begin in Dharamshala on June 14. The second match will be held in Lucknow on June 17. The final ODI will take place in Chennai on June 20. All three matches will start at 1:30 PM IST.
Here’s a quick look:
Test Match — June 6–10 | New Chandigarh (PCAS) (Mullanpur)
1st ODI — June 14 | HPCA Stadium, Dharamshala
2nd ODI — June 17 | Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow
3rd ODI — June 20 | MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
RO-KO comeback everyone is talking about
As the pair remains active in the 50-over format after departing Tests and T20Is, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are anticipated to reappear on the tour.
Virat Kohli had a fantastic batting average of 151 when South Africa visited India for a three-match ODI series; Rohit Sharma struck a blazing century in the ODI series against Australia. Both are obviously unfinished, and their shape going into this series will be the major summer talking point
As India gives 50-over preparation priority before the 2027 ICC Cricket World Cup, the ODI leg should include the experienced nucleus—Kohli and Rohit among others—while the team refines its combination. Continuing as captain across forms will be Shubman Gill.
First-ever bilateral ODI series
This will be India and Afghanistan’s first bilateral ODI series ever; all past 50-over games between the two nations have been in multi-team competitions like the Asia Cup and ICC World Cup.
On the Test front, this will be only the second Test match between the two countries since 2018, when India won by an innings and 262 runs in Bengaluru. With world-class talent including Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad, Ibrahim Zadran, and Hashmatullah Shahidi, Afghanistan has grown dramatically since then, presenting a real challenge in all forms.
Note:- India’s World Test Championship cycle will not count toward the Test match.
Before the 2027 World Cup
India travels to England in July 2026 after the Afghanistan series, a period that acts as a vital preparation block leading up to the last 18 months before the 2027 ODI World Cup. Every game in this era is important, therefore India’s team management would be paying great attention to finish their mix for South Africa.
