Star Afghanistan all-rounder Rashid Khan has indicated that he may skip the upcoming one-off Test against India national cricket team scheduled in Mullanpur this June, following medical advice to avoid red-ball cricket after his back surgery.
The 27-year-old, who underwent lower-back surgery after the 2023 ODI World Cup, revealed that doctors had cautioned him against playing the longer format to prevent further strain. Despite this, Rashid featured in a Test against Zimbabwe national cricket team last year, where he bowled 54 overs and claimed 11 wickets.
Speaking after Gujarat Titans’ narrow one-run victory over Delhi Capitals in the IPL, Rashid admitted that continuing in red-ball cricket poses a significant challenge.
He emphasized that his primary goal is to remain fit for the 2027 ICC Cricket World Cup, stating that he wants to manage his workload carefully to prolong his career in the ODI format.
Afghanistan, which gained Test status in 2017, has played 12 Tests so far, with Rashid appearing in only six. He reiterated that while playing a Test in India is an exciting prospect, long-term fitness remains his top priority.
Rashid remained non-committal about his participation in the India Test, suggesting that he would take a cautious approach to avoid any risk of injury that could impact his availability for future international tournaments.