Afghanistan are hosting India. But the matches are being played in India. That is the reality of international cricket in 2026. Afghanistan cannot host home games on their own soil due to security concerns. So they have brought the series to Delhi.
This is the first time Afghanistan are hosting India in a bilateral T20I series. All three matches will be played at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi. The series runs from September 13 to 17.
For fans, this is a simple guide. When are the matches? Where are they? Who is playing? How can you watch? Let us break it down.
India vs Afghanistan T20I: Full Schedule
Three matches. Three dates. All at the same venue. All starting at 7:00 PM IST.
The first T20I is on Sunday, September 13. The second is on Tuesday, September 15. The third is on Thursday, September 17. All three matches will be played at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi.
This is a tight schedule. Three games in five days. The teams will not have much time to rest or adjust. Recovery will be key. Squad rotation could play a role, especially for India, who have injury concerns.
India Squad: Key Players and Injury Concerns
Shreyas Iyer will captain India. Tilak Varma is the vice-captain. The squad includes a mix of experience and youth.
The full squad is Shreyas Iyer (captain), Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Sanju Samson (wicketkeeper), Ishan Kishan (wicketkeeper), Tilak Varma (vice-captain), Shivam Dube, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Varun Chakaravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, and Harshit Rana.
There are injury concerns. Harshit Rana is yet to fully recover from a hamstring injury. He may miss the series. Jasprit Bumrah is returning from a left knee injury. He has been out since India’s tour of England in July. His return is on track, but the team management will be cautious. Nitish Kumar Reddy is recovering from a quadriceps injury. He has received fitness clearance. Washington Sundar has recovered from a hamstring injury and is fit for the series.
The key players to watch are Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Ishan Kishan. Sooryavanshi was India’s leading run-scorer in Zimbabwe. He scored 151 runs at a strike rate of 196.10. Kishan remains one of the best T20I batters in the world.
Afghanistan Squad: Spin Attack Ready
Ibrahim Zadran will captain Afghanistan. This is his first series as full-time T20I captain.
The squad includes Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wicketkeeper), Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Azmatullah Omarzai, Gulbadin Naib, Noor Rahman (wicketkeeper), Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Nangeyalia Kharote, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Naveen-ul-Haq, and Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar.
The spin attack is Afghanistan’s biggest strength. Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Mohammad Nabi, and Noor Ahmad form a formidable quartet. They can trouble any batting lineup. On Delhi’s flat pitch, they will need to be at their best.
Naveen-ul-Haq returns to the squad after recovering from a stress fracture in his right shoulder. His pace and death bowling will be crucial.
Head-to-Head: India’s Dominance
India have dominated this fixture. They have played 9 T20Is against Afghanistan. India have won 8. Afghanistan have won 0. One match ended in no result.
The most dramatic encounter came in Bengaluru in January 2024. India won after a double Super Over. Afghanistan came agonizingly close but could not cross the line. That defeat still haunts them.
The no-result came in the 2023 Asian Games final in Hangzhou. Persistent drizzle forced a washout. India were awarded the gold medal as the higher-seeded team.
Afghanistan have never beaten India in a T20I. They will be desperate to change that. India will want to maintain their dominance. Expect a competitive series.
Venue Focus: Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi
All three matches will be played at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi. This is a high-scoring venue. The pitch is usually flat. Boundaries are short. Spinners often struggle here because the ball does not turn much. Pacers can get some movement early, but batsmen dominate.
The crowd in Delhi is known for its passionate support. Indian fans will pack the stadium. Afghanistan will be playing on Indian soil but will have to face the crowd’s roar against them.
Players to Watch
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (India): The 15-year-old sensation. He scored 151 runs in Zimbabwe at a strike rate of 196.10. He hits boundaries for fun. Afghanistan’s spinners will target him early. His response will tell us a lot about his temperament.
Ishan Kishan (India): One of the best T20I batters in the world. His ability to score quickly in the powerplay makes him dangerous. He will be key for India at the top of the order.
Rashid Khan (Afghanistan): The best T20 spinner in the world. His googly and variations make him difficult to face. On Delhi’s flat pitch, he will need to be at his best. But he is always a threat.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz (Afghanistan): Afghanistan’s most explosive batsman. His aggressive style at the top of the order can put any bowling attack under pressure. If he gets going, Afghanistan can post a big total.
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Where to Watch
Sony Sports Network has the exclusive television broadcast rights for the India vs Afghanistan series. Live streaming will be available on FanCode.
– Television: Sony Sports Network
– Streaming: FanCode
– Match Time: 7:00 PM IST
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