Led by Asghar Stanikzai, Afghanistan become the 12th test playing nation in less than two decades after being recognised by International Cricket Council (ICC) in 2001.
"It's a very proud moment," Stanikzai said at the toss. "All the guys have some first-class experience, but our first test, obviously.
"Maybe the first one hour it will be a good wicket for bowling."
The visitors are playing two quicks in Wafadar and Yamin Ahmadzai, who will look to make full use of a grass-covered track in the opening session.
Rahane is leading the Indian side in the absence of regular skipper Virat Kohli, who is recovering from a neck injury.
Wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik, who replaces injured Wriddhiman Saha, returns to the test set-up for the first time since 2010.
Teams:
India: Ajinkya Rahane (captain), Murali Vijay, Shikhar Dhawan, Cheteshwar Pujara, KL Rahul, Dinesh Karthik (wicketkeeper), Hardik Pandya, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav.
Afghanistan: Asghar Stanikzai (captain), Mohammad Shahzad, Javed Ahmadi, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Mohammad Nabi, Afsar Zazai (wicketkeeper), Rashid Khan, Yamin Ahmadzai, Wafadar, Mujeeb Ur Rahman.
(Reporting by Hardik Vyas in Bengaluru; Editing by Amlan Chakraborty)
