The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has begun reaching out to players in contention for the one-off Test against Afghanistan next month, urging them to gradually ramp up their workload as the squad takes shape. With the match set for June 6 in Mullanpur, the medical team has given the green light for a full-strength batting lineup, led by captain Shubman Gill.

According to sources close to the selection process, the BCCI initially planned to closely monitor player workload, especially given the intense Indian Premier League (IPL) season. However, no red flags have emerged for the batting group, meaning stars like KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, and Rishabh Pant are all on track to feature. "The BCCI gets regular data on player workload during the IPL and is satisfied with what it has seen so far," a source explained.

The bowling department tells a different story. With the unforgiving June sun and the fact that this Test isn't part of the World Test Championship cycle, the think tank is prioritizing workload management. Jasprit Bumrah is unlikely to play, while decisions on Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna remain pending. This opens the door for fringe players and consistent domestic performers to get a look-in, especially with an eye on the upcoming Sri Lanka Test series. "There is no point burning the bowlers out for this fixture," the source added. "It's a great opportunity to test some quicks and spinners ahead of Sri Lanka."

While India's batting core appears settled, all eyes will be on the No. 3 position, a spot that remains a concern ahead of critical tours. This one-off Test could be the perfect stage for selectors to experiment and solidify plans for the future.