India vs Afghanistan Test 2026: Live Scores, Streaming Details & Playing XI

It’s finally here – the much‑anticipated Test clash between India and Afghanistan in 2026. Whether you’re glued to a TV screen or streaming on your phone, we’ve got the low‑down on where to catch the action, what the score looks like minute by minute, and who’s actually stepping onto the field.

The match kicked off at the historic Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Hyderabad on a breezy afternoon, and the atmosphere was electric. Fans in the stands were humming the national anthems, while home viewers were already buzzing on social media, asking the same question: ‘Where can I watch this live?’

Good news – the broadcast is wide‑open. In India, Star Sports 1 will carry the live feed, and you can stream it simultaneously on Disney+ Hotstar. If you prefer a free‑to‑air option, the match is also being simulcast on DD Sports, and the audio‑only commentary is available via the All India Radio sports channel. For those outside the sub‑continent, the game is streaming on the official ICC YouTube channel, and select overseas broadcasters like Sky Sports (UK) and Fox Sports (Australia) have secured the rights.

Now, onto the players. Both teams announced their playing 11 just before the toss, and there were a few surprise inclusions. India’s line‑up featured a seasoned opening pair – Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill – with Cheteshwar Pujara anchoring the middle order. The pace attack saw the ever‑reliable Jasprit Bumrah lead a quartet that also included Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav, and the relatively new‑face, Shivam Dube. In the spin department, Ravichandran Ashwin was back, partnered by the emerging leg‑spinner, Yuzvendra Chahal.

Afghanistan, on the other hand, stuck with their proven opening duo – Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran – and leaned heavily on the veteran spinner, Hamid Hassan, to trouble the Indian batsmen. Their bowling attack was spearheaded by the fiery Rashid Khan, supported by frontline pacers Naveen-ul-Haq and Qais Ahmad. The surprise inclusion was Afsar Zazai, who earned a spot at number 5 after a stellar domestic season.

Score‑card updates are being pushed every few minutes on the Times of India live blog, as well as on the official ICC app. As of the latest over, India sits at 215/4, with Rohit Sharma nudging a half‑century and a solid partnership with Shubman Gill. Afghanistan, fighting back, posted 173/6 in their first innings, with Gulbadin Naib top‑scoring at 58.

For those who love the numbers, the detailed scorecard – complete with ball‑by‑ball commentary, wicket timelines, and run‑rate graphs – can be accessed on Cricbuzz and ESPNcricinfo. Those platforms also provide handy “match highlights” videos if you need a quick recap between work meetings.

Lastly, a quick tip: if you’re streaming on a mobile device, make sure you’re connected to a stable Wi‑Fi network, or you might miss those nail‑biting moments when the game turns. And if you’re watching with friends, keep the snacks handy – a good Test can last up to five days, after all.