India are ready for another T20I challenge as Afghanistan arrive in New Delhi for a three-match series. The India vs Afghanistan T20I Series 2026 begins on September 13, with all three matches scheduled at Arun Jaitley Stadium.
Shreyas Iyer will lead India, while Ibrahim Zadran will captain Afghanistan. With both sides bringing familiar names and match-winners into the contest, the series could offer plenty of T20 cricket to follow.
Read on to know the schedule, squads, venues, head-to-head record, key players, and many more important details.
India vs Afghanistan T20I Series 2026 Schedule
The Afghanistan vs India T20I Series 2026 features three matches across five days in September. India and Afghanistan will meet in Delhi for the complete T20I leg.
Here is the complete schedule, including match timings, venue, and results:
| Day and Date | Format | Teams | Time [IST/GMT/Local] | Venue | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday, September 13, 2026 | 1st T20I | Afghanistan vs India | 7:00 PM / 1:30 PM / 7:00 PM | Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi | India won by 7 wkts |
| Tuesday, September 15, 2026 | 2nd T20I | Afghanistan vs India | 7:00 PM / 1:30 PM / 7:00 PM | Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi | India won by 7 wkts |
| Thursday, September 17, 2026 | 3rd T20I | Afghanistan vs India | 7:00 PM / 1:30 PM / 7:00 PM | Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi | India won by 127 runs |
Squads for India vs Afghanistan T20I Series 2026
Both India and Afghanistan have named strong squads for the three-match T20I series. India will be led by Shreyas Iyer, while Ibrahim Zadran takes charge of Afghanistan in his first series as the team’s full-time T20I captain.
Here are the squads of both teams:
India T20I Squad
Shreyas Iyer (C), Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Sanju Samson (WK), Ishan Kishan (WK), Tilak Varma (VC), Shivam Dube, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Varun Chakaravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Yash Thakur
India made one late change to the original squad after Harshit Rana was ruled out due to a thigh muscle injury. Yash Thakur replaced him, while Bumrah, Washington Sundar, and Nitish Kumar Reddy received fitness clearance.
Afghanistan T20I Squad
Ibrahim Zadran (C), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Noor ul Rehman (WK), Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Azmatullah Omarzai, Gulbadin Naib, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Nangeyalia Kharoti, Noor Ahmad, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Naveen-ul-Haq, Abdullah Ahmadzai
Afghanistan have retained a balanced squad featuring several experienced T20 players. Naveen-ul-Haq returns after recovering from a shoulder injury, while Ibrahim Zadran begins his first assignment as the team’s full-time T20I captain.
Venue Details of India vs Afghanistan T20I Series 2026
Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi will host all three T20Is between India and Afghanistan. The venue sits on Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, near Delhi Gate Metro Station, and can hold around 35,000–41,800 fans.
The surface generally favours batters, with true bounce, quick outfields and short boundaries. However, wrist spinners can find more assistance as the pitch wears, while evening dew could help teams chasing.
The 2026 series also marks a historic first, with Afghanistan officially hosting India in a T20 series on Indian soil.
Key Matchup & Pitch Factors at Delhi
Arun Jaitley Stadium has generally offered more runs to batters, making bowling plans especially important. Seamers have conceded over 9.9 runs per over, compared with 8.9 for spinners, highlighting the value of spin and pace-off bowling.
The short square boundaries, measuring under 62 metres, also increase the reward for attacking shots. With more than 64% of runs coming through boundaries, bowlers must execute their variations carefully, especially against aggressive batters.
The T20I record further favours chasing teams, who hold an 8–4 advantage at the venue. Evening dew can make defending difficult, so winning the toss could encourage captains to bowl first.
Afghanistan vs India Head-to-Head in T20Is
India have enjoyed a clear advantage over Afghanistan in their T20I meetings. The two sides have faced each other nine times, with India winning seven matches.
Afghanistan are still searching for their first victory against India in the format. One match ended in a tie, while another produced no result. Here is the complete head-to-head record before the 2026 series.
| Team | Span | Mat | Won | Lost | Tied | Tie+W | Tie+L | NR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Afghanistan | 2010–2024 | 9 | 0 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| India | 2010–2024 | 9 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
India have completely dominated this T20I rivalry, winning seven of nine meetings. Afghanistan have yet to beat India, although they have managed one tied result.
One match also ended without a result. Therefore, India enter the 2026 series with a strong historical advantage, while Afghanistan will look to change that record.
Top 4 Players to Watch in the India vs Afghanistan T20I Series 2026
The India vs Afghanistan T20I Series 2026 brings together several players who can change a game within a few overs. Both sides have proven match-winners across batting, bowling and leadership roles.
Here are those 4 players whom you should definitely keep an eye on:
| Player Name | Team | Role & Style | Key T20I Stat | Why He Is a Must-Watch |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shreyas Iyer | India | Right-Hand Batter | 1,415 runs in 61 matches (Avg: 32.15, SR: 138.04) | Stepping into the captaincy role, his performance as a middle-order anchor and leader under pressure will be central to India’s batting setup. |
| Jasprit Bumrah | India | Right-Arm Fast Bowler | 121 wickets in 95 matches (BBI: 4/15, Economy: 6.15) | Freshly cleared for fitness, his ability to control runs at the death and strike early will be crucial on Delhi’s flat batting tracks. |
| Rashid Khan | Afghanistan | Legbreak Googly Bowler | 193 wickets in 115 matches (BBI: 5/3, Economy: 6.04) | Afghanistan’s premier strike bowler can control the middle overs and challenge India’s power-hitters with his variations. |
| Rahmanullah Gurbaz | Afghanistan | Right-Hand Wicketkeeper-Batter | 2,280 runs in 87 matches (Avg: 26.20, SR: 135.55) | His explosive opening style can give Afghanistan strong Powerplay starts and help build big totals on Delhi’s shorter boundaries. |
How to Watch the India vs Afghanistan T20I Series 2026 Live in India
In India, you can watch the India vs Afghanistan T20I Series 2026 live on the Sony Sports Network on television and stream the matches digitally on FanCode.
Here is where you can follow the three-match series across different regions:
| Region / Platform | Broadcast Option | Access Details & Source |
|---|---|---|
| USA & Canada | Willow TV via Amazon Prime Video | Available via the Willow TV channel add-on subscription ($9.99/month). |
| Pakistan | A Sports HD | Broadcast live on the television channel. |
| Subcontinent Countries (Nepal, Maldives, Bhutan) | Sony Sports Network | Available via local cable networks carrying Sony Sports channels. |
| Afghanistan | RTA Sports / Ariana Television (ATN) | The series will be available on RTA Sports or Ariana Television for local television viewers. |
| Afghanistan (Digital) | FanCode App & Website | The matches are officially available for digital streaming through FanCode. |
A Different Dressing Room Setup in Delhi
Although the three T20Is will take place at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Afghanistan will officially serve as the administrative host for the series. This creates an unusual setup inside the venue.
- Afghanistan: Will use the primary home dressing room, named after former India cricketer Raman Lamba.
- India: Will use the visitors’ dressing room, named after former India player Prakash Bhandari.
Afghanistan have previously hosted international teams at venues in India, including Dehradun, Greater Noida and Lucknow. However, this series marks the first time they officially host India on Indian soil.
Read This Next:
- India Squad for West Indies Tour of India 2026 Announced by BCCI
- ENG vs SL 1st T20I 2026: Probable Playing XI, Pitch Conditions, Live Telecast
Conclusion
The Afghanistan tour of India 2026 brings three T20Is with strong batting talent, proven match-winners, and plenty at stake for both sides. The bigger test will come when both teams face pressure in Delhi’s batting-friendly conditions.
For India, the series gives Shreyas Iyer a chance to make his mark as captain alongside experienced match-winners. Afghanistan, meanwhile, will look towards Rashid Khan and Rahmanullah Gurbaz to set the tone and challenge India’s depth.
So, be ready for the start of an epic three-match T20I series. Make sure you don’t miss a single game. Follow every twist, track the live scores, and enjoy every moment of the series.
