3 Ranji Trophy 2025–26 bowlers selectors should consider for IND vs AFG Test

The Indian Team’s first International assignment after the successful T20 World Cup defence will be the series against Afghanistan, which consists of a one-off Test Match. India’s Test fortunes over the past few years have been under-par, with home-series whitewashes against New Zealand and South Africa coming in the span of a year and a half. Added to their woes are the retirements of the prolific trio of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and R Ashwin. 

The Test match offers the Indian team the leeway to give opportunities to fresh faces, who have been toiling away in the domestic circuit. The 2025-26 Ranji Trophy has seen high levels of performance from the players, and with India’s Test team in somewhat of a transition, a brilliant performance in the one-off Test could ensure a longer rope with the Test team.

Here are three top bowlers from the Ranji Trophy 2025-26 who could be considered for one-off Afghanistan Test:

3) Shreyas Gopal - Karnataka

A true stalwart of India’s domestic circuit, leg-spinner Shreyas Gopal was prolific for Karnataka in their run to the finals. Leading the wicket-taking charts for the eight-time Ranji winners with 48 scalps across ten matches in the season, Gopal has been Karnataka’s go-to man with the ball. He also scored 469 runs at an average of 33.50, with five half-centuries, showing his reliability with the bat.

After spending the 2023-24 season with Kerala due to diminishing chances with Karnataka, Gopal returned with newfound determination and clarity, and it is reflected in his performances in 2025. He contributed to Karnataka’s 2024-25 Vijay Hazare Trophy victory with 18 wickets and has become a mainstay for the team. At 32 years of age, Gopal is at the peak of his prowess and will be hopeful when India comes calling for new faces.

2) Auqib Nabi - Jammu & Kashmir

With a whopping 104 wickets over the last two Ranji Trophy seasons. Auqib Nabi has by far been the best pacer in the domestic red-ball circuit over the last two years, and calls for a debut with the Indian team have been growing. He picked up 44 wickets in the 2024-25 season, finishing behind leading wicket-taker Harsh Dubey in the charts. In 2025-26, he was a class apart, becoming just the third fast-bowler and seventh overall to finish with over 60 wickets in a Ranji Trophy season.

His performances earned him the Player of the Series award as he spearheaded J&K to their first-ever Ranji Trophy triumph, picking up a five-wicket haul in the final against a high-profile Karnataka side. A disciplined bowler who can move the ball both ways and extract reverse swing, Auqib’s numbers speak for themselves.

3) Saransh Jain - Madhya Pradesh

The Madhya Pradesh all-rounder has been prolific with both bat and ball in the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy season. With 30 wickets in seven matches, he finished as the former champions’ second-highest wicket taker in the season. An off-spinner with a high-arm release, capable of bowling with flight and dip, he has picked up over 50 wickets in the last two years of the Raji Trophy.

What makes Saransh Jain an even more attractive option is his batting. He scored 518 runs at an average of 57.55 and a strike rate of over 58.53. He was the Player of the Series in the 2025 Duleep Trophy, finishing with 16 wickets in Central Zone’s victorious campaign. As someone who has represented India A before, Saransh has been familiar with higher levels of cricket and would be a frontrunner for a spot if the regulars are rested.