Cricket fans do not have to wait long for another India-Afghanistan contest. India and Afghanistan will meet in a three-match T20I series in September 2026, and this one has plenty of interesting storylines behind it.
All three matches will be played at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi, with the series scheduled for September 13, 15 and 17. Afghanistan are officially the hosts, but the entire series will be played in India. And there is more to this series than just three matches. India come in with a strong squad led by Shreyas Iyer, while Afghanistan will be led by Ibrahim Zadran, beginning his first assignment as the team’s full-time T20I captain.
India vs Afghanistan T20I Series 2026: Quick Overview
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Series | India vs Afghanistan T20I Series 2026 |
| Matches | 3 T20Is |
| Dates | September 13, 15 & 17, 2026 |
| Venue | Arun Jaitley Stadium, New Delhi |
| Official host | Afghanistan |
| India Captain | Shreyas Iyer |
| Afghanistan Captain | Ibrahim Zadran |
| Match time | 7:00 PM IST |
| Streaming in India | FanCode |
All three matches are scheduled for 7:00 PM IST.
India vs Afghanistan T20I Schedule
1st T20I
September 13, 2026 — New Delhi
Arun Jaitley Stadium — 7:00 PM IST
2nd T20I
September 15, 2026 — New Delhi
Arun Jaitley Stadium — 7:00 PM IST
3rd T20I
September 17, 2026 — New Delhi
Arun Jaitley Stadium — 7:00 PM IST
The three-match schedule was officially confirmed by the Afghanistan Cricket Board.
Team India: A Mix of Experience and New Energy
India’s squad has several interesting names.
Shreyas Iyer will captain the side, with Tilak Varma named vice-captain. One of the biggest talking points is the return of Sanju Samson, while teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has also been selected.
India’s 15-member squad
- 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 Chakravarthy
- Ravi Bishnoi
- Jasprit Bumrah
- Arshdeep Singh
- Harshit Rana
There is, however, a fitness question around Jasprit Bumrah, Washington Sundar, Nitish Kumar Reddy and Harshit Rana, all of whom were selected subject to fitness clearance.
Meanwhile, Hardik Pandya has not been selected after another setback in his comeback from injury.
Afghanistan: A Team That Can Never Be Taken Lightly
If there is one thing Afghanistan have taught world cricket in recent years, it is this: never judge them by reputation alone. Their spin attack can change a match in a few overs, while their fast bowlers and aggressive batting have made them a genuine threat in T20 cricket.
For this series, Afghanistan have named a strong squad featuring Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fazalhaq Farooqi and Naveen-ul-Haq.
Afghanistan’s squad
- 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
- Fazal Haq Farooqi
- Abdullah Ahmadzai
- Naveen-ul-Haq
The return of Naveen-ul-Haq is particularly interesting after his recovery from a shoulder stress fracture that kept him out of the T20 World Cup.
India vs Afghanistan: What Does History Say?
This is where the series becomes even more interesting. India have dominated Afghanistan in T20I cricket so far. The two teams have played seven men’s T20Is, with India winning all seven.
There has been one particularly memorable encounter, though. In the third T20I in Bengaluru in January 2024, the match ended in a tie after both teams scored the same total. Even the first Super Over ended level before India won the second Super Over.
That match produced one of the most remarkable T20I performances of Rohit Sharma’s career. He scored an unbeaten century after India were in serious trouble and became the first men’s T20I batter to reach five international T20 centuries. So while the head-to-head record heavily favours India, Afghanistan have shown that they can push India into uncomfortable situations.
The 2024 T20I Series Was a Thriller
The previous bilateral T20I series between the two sides came in January 2024. India won the first two matches by six wickets each. Axar Patel was particularly impressive, taking two wickets in each of those victories. Then came the unforgettable Bengaluru finale.
It was the kind of game that reminded everyone why T20 cricket can be so unpredictable. India eventually won after two Super Overs, with Rohit Sharma playing the starring role.
India vs Afghanistan at the 2024 T20 World Cup
The rivalry also produced an important match at the 2024 Men’s T20 World Cup. India defeated Afghanistan by 47 runs in the Super Eight stage in Barbados.
India posted 181/8, with Suryakumar Yadav scoring 53 off 28 balls. Afghanistan were then bowled out for 134, with Jasprit Bumrah taking 3/7 in a brilliant four-over spell. That match showed the contrasting strengths of the two sides: India’s depth and experience against Afghanistan’s fearless cricket.
Players to Watch
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi
The teenager is arguably the most exciting name in India’s squad. His selection has already generated enormous interest, particularly after he responded to a difficult start to international cricket with two half-centuries during India’s recent Zimbabwe tour. The Afghanistan series could give him another opportunity to show that his potential is not just hype.
Jasprit Bumrah
If he receives fitness clearance and plays, Bumrah will immediately become one of India’s biggest weapons. His previous performance against Afghanistan at the 2024 T20 World Cup 3 wickets for only 7 runs is still fresh in memory.
Sanju Samson
Sanju’s return adds another fascinating storyline. With Samson, Ishan Kishan and the other batting options available, India’s selection combination could be one of the biggest talking points of the series.
Rashid Khan
There are few players in world cricket who can change a T20 match as quickly as Rashid. His variations, experience and ability to attack in the middle overs make him Afghanistan’s biggest match-winning threat.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz
Gurbaz brings aggression at the top of the order. If Afghanistan get a fast start from him, India’s bowlers could be under pressure immediately.
Naveen-ul-Haq
His return gives Afghanistan another high-quality pace option, adding variety alongside Fazalhaq Farooqi and the rest of the attack.
Why This Series Matters
At first glance, three bilateral T20Is might look like just another series on a crowded cricket calendar. But there is more happening beneath the surface.
For India, this is an opportunity to assess players, build combinations and give youngsters valuable international exposure. The series also comes ahead of India’s participation in the Asian Games in Japan, making the T20 squad especially interesting.
For Afghanistan, the series is another major step in their cricketing journey. The ACB itself described the series as significant for Afghanistan’s cricket development and highlighted the importance of strengthening its relationship with the BCCI.
Where to Watch India vs Afghanistan T20I Series 2026?
For viewers in India, FanCode has secured the digital streaming rights for the three-match series. Fans can therefore watch the matches live through the FanCode platform.
Match time: 7:00 PM IST
Venue: Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi
Digital streaming: FanCode
Viewers should check the broadcaster’s latest listings closer to match day for any changes in television coverage.
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