India assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate offered a significant insight into the team’s selection thinking ahead of the one-off Test against Afghanistan in New Chandigarh. With the match set to begin on June 6, discussions around India’s probable XI have intensified, particularly after several fresh faces earned call-ups on the back of impressive domestic performances.

Speaking at the pre-match press conference, ten Doeschate addressed a number of key topics, including the fitness of Mohammed Siraj and the balance of the India bowling attack. While the management is yet to lock in its final combination, his comments provided a strong indication that some notable decisions could be on the cards for the series opener.

Two young spinners pushing for maiden Test caps

The biggest takeaway from ten Doeschate’s media interaction was his admission that both Harsh Dubey and Manav Suthar remain in contention for selection. According to the assistant coach, the team management has not yet decided which combination will accompany established spin options, Kuldeep Yadav and Washington Sundar. However, he did not rule out the possibility of both youngsters featuring in the same playing XI.

“As far as two new spinners (Manav Suthar and Harsh Dubey) are concerned, there is a small chance that both will play. We haven’t finalised who among the two will play alongside Kuldeep Yadav and Washington Sundar,” ten Doeschate said.

Both Dubey and Suthar have built strong reputations in domestic cricket over the past few seasons. Their consistent wicket-taking ability and familiarity with spin-friendly conditions have strengthened their cases for selection. Interestingly, the pair have played together since their age-group cricket days and share a close understanding on and off the field.

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India weigh spin-heavy combination in New Chandigarh

With Afghanistan expected to field multiple quality spinners, India could also respond with a spin-heavy attack of their own. Kuldeep Yadav is almost certain to lead the spin department, while Washington Sundar’s all-round abilities make him a valuable option. The remaining spot could go to either Dubey or Suthar, although ten Doeschate’s comments suggest the management is still assessing various combinations. If conditions are deemed suitable, India may even consider fielding both debutants alongside their experienced spin options.

The upcoming contest will not count towards the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle, but it presents a valuable opportunity for India to test emerging talent and build depth ahead of a packed international calendar. As things stand, all eyes will be on the team sheet in New Chandigarh, where Dubey and Suthar could be set to realize their long-awaited dream of representing India in Test cricket.

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