Afghanistan National Cricket Team vs India National Cricket Team Timeline: India are set to face Afghanistan in a three-match T20I series in Delhi as both teams prepare for an important period in the international cricket calendar. The series will be played at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, with all three matches scheduled to take place under lights.
The first T20I will be played on September 13, followed by the second match on September 15 and the third T20I on September 17. With the Asian Games beginning on September 24, the series gives India a final opportunity to work on their combinations and settle their plans before the squad moves into the next major assignment.
One of the biggest names in the Indian squad is Jasprit Bumrah. The experienced fast bowler remains an important part of India’s plans in the shortest format, particularly because of his ability to deliver under pressure with the new ball as well as at the death.
The India vs Afghanistan series also comes at an interesting time for the Indian team. Despite being the reigning T20 World Cup champions, India have experienced some difficult results in recent white-ball cricket.
India vs Afghanistan T20I Series Schedule
All three T20Is between India and Afghanistan will be played at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi.
| Date | Match | Time (IST) | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| September 13, 2026 | 1st T20I | 7:30 PM | Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi |
| September 15, 2026 | 2nd T20I | 7:30 PM | Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi |
| September 17, 2026 | 3rd T20I | 7:30 PM | Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi |
The second T20I is scheduled for September 15, while the final match of the series will be played on September 17. The three-match series will finish just one week before the Asian Games begin on September 24.
For India, that short gap makes the series particularly useful. The team can use these matches to assess combinations, give players valuable game time and identify the best possible balance before heading into the next assignment.
Jasprit Bumrah World Record in Focus
Jasprit Bumrah will be one of the players attracting the most attention during the series. The Indian fast bowler has established himself as one of the most difficult bowlers to handle across formats.
His ability to bowl accurate yorkers, control the scoring rate and pick up wickets during crucial phases makes him a major weapon for India in T20 cricket.
The phrase “Jasprit World Record” has become a major talking point around the Indian pace spearhead. His consistency in international cricket has helped him build a reputation that few fast bowlers can match.
With Afghanistan possessing several aggressive batters and experienced players in their T20 squad, Bumrah’s role could again become important whenever India need a breakthrough or need to control the scoring during the death overs.
India’s Recent White-Ball Form Has Been Mixed
India enter the Afghanistan T20I series with a mixed record in recent white-ball cricket. Their results have not completely reflected their status as the reigning T20 World Cup champions.
The difficult period began in late June when India suffered back-to-back T20I defeats against Ireland in Belfast. Those results were followed by a challenging series against England.
England defeated India 4-0 in the T20I series, handing the Indian side a significant setback. The two teams then faced each other in the ODI format, where India also suffered a 2-1 series defeat.
India later travelled to Zimbabwe for another white-ball assignment and managed to recover some confidence at Harare.
The Afghanistan series therefore provides another opportunity for the Indian team to regain momentum in T20 cricket.
India’s Previous Tour Against Afghanistan
Earlier in the year, Afghanistan travelled to India for a full international tour. The Test match produced a huge result in India’s favour.
India defeated Afghanistan by an innings and 300 runs in the one-off Test at New Chandigarh. The match lasted only three days, with India completely dominating the contest.
India then carried that momentum into the ODI series and completed a 3-0 clean sweep.
However, T20 cricket presents a completely different challenge. Afghanistan have developed into a dangerous T20 side, particularly because of their spin attack and the experience of players such as Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi.
The Afghan team will therefore enter the T20I series with a point to prove after their heavy defeats in the longer formats.
India vs Afghanistan: Recent Head-to-Head Encounters
India have enjoyed a strong record against Afghanistan in major international tournaments and bilateral cricket.
The two teams have met several times in ICC events, Asia Cup competition and bilateral assignments. India’s most notable recent victories include their eight-wicket win over Afghanistan during the 2023 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in Delhi.
India also defeated Afghanistan by 101 runs in the 2022 Asia Cup in Dubai.
At the 2021 ICC T20 World Cup in Abu Dhabi, India recorded a 66-run victory. Earlier, during the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup in Southampton, India won by 11 runs.
There was also a tied match between the two sides during the 2018 Asia Cup in Dubai.
Afghanistan’s first-ever Test match came against India in Bengaluru in June 2018. India won that historic Test by an innings and 262 runs.
The teams had also met during the 2010 ICC World Twenty20 in St Lucia, where India secured a seven-wicket victory.
India vs Afghanistan: Past Notable Encounters
| Date | Tournament/Format | Venue | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 11, 2023 | ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup | Delhi | India won by 8 wickets |
| September 8, 2022 | Asia Cup | Dubai | India won by 101 runs |
| November 3, 2021 | ICC T20 World Cup | Abu Dhabi | India won by 66 runs |
| June 22, 2019 | ICC Cricket World Cup | Southampton | India won by 11 runs |
| September 26, 2018 | Asia Cup | Dubai | Match tied |
| June 14-15, 2018 | Historic Test | Bengaluru | India won by an innings and 262 runs |
| May 1, 2010 | ICC World Twenty20 | St Lucia | India won by 7 wickets |
India Squad for Afghanistan T20I Series
India have named a strong squad containing a mixture of experienced international players and promising young talent.
Shreyas Iyer will lead the side, while Tilak Varma has been named vice-captain. The squad also includes several players who have already made an impact in T20 cricket.
India’s 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 Yash Thakur.
The selection gives India plenty of options in both batting and bowling. Abhishek Sharma provides an aggressive opening option, while Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan give the team wicketkeeping choices.
The presence of Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh also gives India experience in the pace department, while Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Varun Chakaravarthy and Ravi Bishnoi provide several spin options.
Afghanistan Squad for India T20I Series
Afghanistan will also arrive with a squad packed with experienced T20 players.
Ibrahim Zadran has been named captain, while Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Noor Rahman are the wicketkeeping options.
Afghanistan’s squad is:
Ibrahim Zadran (Captain), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wicketkeeper), Noor Rahman (wicketkeeper), Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Azmatullah Omarzai, Gulbadin Naib, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Nangyal Kharoti, Noor Ahmad, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Abdullah Ahmadzai and Naveen-ul-Haq.
The squad contains plenty of T20 experience. Rashid Khan remains one of Afghanistan’s most important players, while Mohammad Nabi provides experience in both batting and bowling.
The presence of Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad and Nangyal Kharoti also gives Afghanistan several spin-bowling options. Meanwhile, Fazalhaq Farooqi and Naveen-ul-Haq can provide pace and variation.
Why the T20I Series Is Important for India
The timing of the series makes it important for India. The three matches will be completed on September 17, only days before the Asian Games begin on September 24.
That leaves the Indian team with a limited window to finalize combinations and assess individual players.
For players competing for places in the playing XI, the Afghanistan series could be a valuable opportunity. The management can use the matches to understand which batting and bowling combinations work best under pressure.
For senior players such as Jasprit Bumrah, the series can also provide an opportunity to maintain rhythm and lead the bowling attack.
Afghanistan, meanwhile, will look to challenge India in the T20 format after losing the earlier Test and ODI assignments.
India vs Afghanistan T20I Series: Where to Watch
Cricket fans will be able to follow the India vs Afghanistan T20I series through the official television and digital broadcast platforms mentioned for the series.
TV Channel: Sony Sports
Live Streaming: FanCode
The series will be available for viewers through these platforms, allowing fans to follow all three matches live.
Conclusion
The India vs Afghanistan T20I series promises to be an interesting contest between two teams with different objectives. India will be looking to rebuild confidence after a difficult run of white-ball results, while Afghanistan will want to show that they can compete strongly against one of the world’s leading T20 teams.
With all three matches taking place at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi, conditions will remain familiar for both teams as the series progresses.
For India, the performances of players such as Jasprit Bumrah, Abhishek Sharma, Shreyas Iyer, Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan, Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi could have a major impact on the outcome.
The series also provides India with one final chance to settle their combinations before the Asian Games. With the first T20I scheduled for September 13, followed by the second on September 15 and the third on September 17, fans can expect three closely watched matches in Delhi.
The spotlight will naturally remain on India’s senior players, especially Jasprit Bumrah, whose extraordinary record and ability to change the course of a T20 match make him one of the key figures in the series.
