Afghanistan’s star all-rounder Rashid Khan has hinted that he may miss the upcoming one-off Test against India, scheduled for June 2026 in Milanpur, as he manages his workload following back surgery.The 27-year-old, who underwent lower back surgery after the 2023 ODI World Cup, revealed that doctors have advised him to stay away from Red Ball cricket. While the prospect of playing Tests in India is enticing, Rashid made it clear that his long-term fitness and availability for the 2027 ODI World Cup are among his top priorities.Physician advice and workload managementRashid admitted that playing Test cricket is a major risk to his recovery.“It’s a very difficult question. The first thing the doctor told me was to stay away from red ball cricket,” he said after Gujarat Titans’ win over Delhi Capitals. IPL 2026.Against medical advice, Rashid played in a Test against Zimbabwe last year, where he bowled 54 overs and took 11 wickets, highlighting both his importance to Afghanistan and the physical demands of the format.Focus on white ball cricket.The leg-spinner emphasized that he is more comfortable continuing in the white-ball formats, especially in ODIs. “I enjoy ODIs and I am in good shape to play them for a long time. But if I want a long career, I have to manage my workload carefully,” he added.With Afghanistan’s limited Test schedule, just 12 matches since gaining Test status in 2017, Rashid suggested it made more sense to prioritize longevity over sporadic appearances in the longest format.Rashid remained coy and non-committal when asked about the upcoming Test against India. “I will take it easy and focus on preparing for the World Cup,” he said. If something happens to my back in this test, it may affect my career.India vs Afghanistan Test DetailsIndia is scheduled to host Afghanistan from June 6 to June 10, 2026, at the Maharaja Yadavendra Singh International Cricket Stadium, New Chandigarh. The match will open Afghanistan’s multi-format tour of India but is not part of the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle.
