The Punjab Cricket Association's (PCA) stadium in Mullanpur is set to create history as it prepares to host its first-ever Test match from June 6 to 10. India will face Afghanistan in their first red-ball clash in eight years.
Historic Milestone for Punjab Cricket
This match marks a significant milestone for cricket in Punjab, making Mullanpur the third venue in the state after Mohali and Jalandhar to host a Test match. It also becomes the 31st Test venue in India.
Indian Team Training Intensively
Ahead of the fixture, the Indian team, led by Punjab's Shubman Gill, trained intensively at the venue on Thursday. Despite the afternoon heat, players spent long hours in the nets as preparations gathered pace. Most of the squad batted, while bowlers put in extended spells to adapt to the red-ball format.
Afghanistan's Challenge
Afghanistan faces a tough outing, especially in the absence of key players like Rashid Khan. Their last Test appearance against India came in 2018, making this only the second meeting between the two sides in the longer format.
PCA Secretary's Remarks
PCA secretary and Sangrur MP Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer termed the occasion a proud moment and said preparations were complete. He urged families to attend, highlighting that tickets for all five days have been priced at Rs 250 to ensure wider access.
Indian Squad Details
The Indian squad features two Punjab players — captain Shubman Gill and pacer Gurnoor Brar. Several members have been retained from the previous Test assignment against South Africa, including KL Rahul, Mohammed Siraj, Washington Sundar, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sai Sudharsan, Rishabh Pant, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Devdutt Padikkal, and Dhruv Jurel.
Excitement Building in Tricity
With a historic debut Test, local representation, and affordable tickets, excitement is building across the Tricity as Mullanpur takes its place on India's Test cricket map.
