Quick answer: Afghanistan face India in the 1st T20I AFG vs IND of their three-match series at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on Sunday, September 13. The match starts at 7:00 PM IST. India go in as heavy favorites, backed by an unbeaten head to head record and stronger overall form, though Afghanistan’s spin attack gives them a genuine chance of springing a surprise on their day.
Here’s everything you need before the toss.
Match Details at a Glance
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Match | 1st T20I, Afghanistan vs India 2026 (AFG vs IND) |
| Series | 3-match T20I series |
| Date | Sunday, September 13, 2026 |
| Venue | Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi |
| Start time (IST) | 7:00 PM |
| Designated home team | Afghanistan |
| All-time T20I head to head | India lead 8–0, with 1 no result |
Full fixture details and live scores are also available on the BCCI official website.
When and Where Is the AFG vs IND 1st T20I?
This is the opening match of a three-game T20I series, with all three fixtures being played at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi. Afghanistan is the officially designated home side for this series, since the country does not currently host international cricket at home, making this India’s first ever away assignment played entirely on their own soil.
For fans elsewhere, here’s the rough time zone breakdown:
| Region | Local Match Time |
|---|---|
| India (IST) | 7:00 PM, Sunday |
| Pakistan (PKT) | 6:30 PM, Sunday |
| Bangladesh | 7:30 PM, Sunday |
| UAE / Dubai (GST) | 5:30 PM, Sunday |
| UK (BST) | 2:30 PM, Sunday |
| GMT | 1:30 PM, Sunday |
| US East Coast (EDT) | 9:30 AM, Sunday |
| US West Coast (PDT) | 6:30 AM, Sunday |
| Australia East Coast (AEST) | 11:30 PM, Sunday |
| New Zealand (NZST) | 1:30 AM, Monday |
| South Africa (SAST) | 3:30 PM, Sunday |
Fans in the UK and continental Europe get a convenient afternoon window, while those on the US West Coast will need an early start to catch this one live.
Why Is This Series a Bigger Deal Than It Looks?
This is only the second time India and Afghanistan have played a bilateral T20I series against each other, with their first coming back in January 2024. It’s also worth noting this comes right after India completed a 3-0 whitewash of Afghanistan in the Test and ODI legs of this same tour back in June, so Afghanistan will be desperate to salvage some pride in the shortest format.
India arrive fresh off a 3-0 T20I series win over Zimbabwe in July, while still carrying the confidence of being the reigning T20 World Champions. Several senior names, including Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Hardik Pandya, have been left out, handing captain Shreyas Iyer a young, developing squad to work with.
Recent Form Guide (Last 5 T20Is, Most Recent First)
| India | Afghanistan |
|---|---|
| W (vs Zimbabwe) | L |
| W (vs Zimbabwe) | L |
| W (vs Zimbabwe) | L |
| L (vs England) | W |
| L (vs England) | W |
India’s recent form has been strong outside of a rough patch against England, while Afghanistan’s form has been mixed heading into this series, making India’s recent momentum another factor in their favor.
What Is the Head to Head Record Between Afghanistan and India?
India’s record against Afghanistan is arguably their cleanest against any full member nation, since Afghanistan has never beaten them in a Test, ODI, or T20I.
| Format | Matches | India Won | Afghanistan Won | Tied/No Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| ODI | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 |
| T20I | 9 | 8 | 0 | 1 (no result) |
| Total | 15 | 13 | 0 | 2 |
Recent T20I Meetings
| Date | Result | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| 20 Jun 2024 | India won by 47 runs | Bridgetown, T20 World Cup |
| 17 Jan 2024 | Match tied, India won the Super Over | Bengaluru |
| 14 Jan 2024 | India won by 6 wickets | Indore |
| 11 Jan 2024 | India won by 6 wickets | Mohali |
The tied match in Bengaluru back in January 2024 remains the closest Afghanistan has come to a first ever win over India, only for India to close it out through a Super Over. You can read more about that dramatic finish on ESPNcricinfo.
What Is the Likely Playing 11 for Both Teams?
Lineups officially get confirmed only at the toss, but based on squad depth and recent team combinations, here’s what both sides are likely to field.
| No. | Afghanistan (Probable XI) | India (Probable XI) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sediqullah Atal | Abhishek Sharma |
| 2 | Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk) | Vaibhav Sooryavanshi |
| 3 | Ibrahim Zadran (c) | Sanju Samson (wk) |
| 4 | Darwish Rasooli | Shreyas Iyer (c) |
| 5 | Azmatullah Omarzai | Tilak Varma |
| 6 | Gulbadin Naib | Shivam Dube |
| 7 | Mohammad Nabi | Nitish Kumar Reddy |
| 8 | Rashid Khan | Axar Patel |
| 9 | Noor Ahmad | Washington Sundar |
| 10 | Fazalhaq Farooqi | Arshdeep Singh |
| 11 | Naveen-ul-Haq | Jasprit Bumrah |
Afghanistan’s biggest threat lies in their spin department, where Rashid Khan and Noor Ahmad can control the middle overs against any batting lineup. India counter with genuine batting depth from top to bottom, plus a pace attack led by Jasprit Bumrah that has proven difficult to score off in the powerplay and death overs alike. Full squad lists for both sides are available on ESPNcricinfo’s team pages.
Who Are the Key Players to Watch?
| Team | Player | Why He Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Afghanistan | Rashid Khan | Legendary leg-spinner who can turn any match on its own merit |
| Afghanistan | Rahmanullah Gurbaz | Aggressive opener capable of quick starts against any bowling attack |
| Afghanistan | Mohammad Nabi | Experienced all-rounder who brings calm and control in the middle overs |
| India | Jasprit Bumrah | World class fast bowler who controls both the new ball and the death overs |
| India | Abhishek Sharma | Explosive opener who can take the game away during the powerplay |
| India | Vaibhav Sooryavanshi | Teenage batting prodigy getting a fresh opportunity at the top of the order |
If Rashid Khan and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi end up facing off during the middle overs, that battle alone could shape the direction of the innings.
What Does the Pitch Report Say About Arun Jaitley Stadium?
The Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi generally offers a fair balance between bat and ball, though evening dew can start to influence the game as September nights set in.
| Pitch Factor | What to Expect |
|---|---|
| Average first innings score | Typically in the 170 to 190 range |
| Best time to bowl | Early in the innings, with the new ball |
| Best time to bat | Middle overs onward, once the ball loses its hardness |
| Toss impact | Batting first can help avoid the dew factor later in the evening |
Given India’s batting depth and Afghanistan’s ability to counter with spin, expect a competitive total well past 170 if the team batting first gets off to a strong start.
Fantasy Cricket Tips for AFG vs IND 1st T20I
If you’re setting a fantasy team for this match, here are a few practical picks based on current form and matchups:
- Captain pick: Rashid Khan, since he remains one of the most reliable wicket-taking options in world cricket regardless of opposition.
- Vice-captain pick: Abhishek Sharma, given his explosive potential at the top of India’s order.
- Value pick: Nitish Kumar Reddy, who offers useful contributions with both bat and ball if selected.
- Differential pick: Rahmanullah Gurbaz, who has troubled strong bowling attacks in the past and could do it again here.
Always check the confirmed playing XI at the toss before locking in your fantasy team, since India’s squad management often rotates players across a series.
What Is the Toss Prediction for This Match?
Given the dew factor that typically sets in during evening matches in Delhi in September, whichever captain wins the toss is likely to prefer bowling first, aiming to chase under lights once the ball becomes harder for bowlers to grip in the second innings.
Will Weather Be a Factor in Delhi?
Mid September in Delhi is generally dry, with only a small chance of rain affecting the schedule. Fans should expect a full 20-over contest on both sides barring any unexpected weather changes closer to match time.
Who Is Favored to Win the AFG vs IND 1st T20I?
India go in as clear favorites, backed by their unbeaten head to head record, effective home conditions, and a batting lineup with real depth from top to bottom. Even with several senior players rested, India’s recent form and squad balance make them heavy favorites on paper.
That said, Afghanistan should not be dismissed too easily. Their spin trio of Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad, and Mohammad Nabi gives them a genuine way to control the middle overs, and Rahmanullah Gurbaz has shown he can trouble strong bowling attacks with quick starts.
| Factor | Advantage |
|---|---|
| All-time head to head | India |
| Recent form | India |
| Spin bowling threat | Afghanistan |
| Squad depth | India |
| Overall prediction | India favored |
Where to Watch AFG vs IND 1st T20I Live?
| Region | TV Channel | Live Streaming |
|---|---|---|
| India | Sony Sports Network | FanCode app and website, also via Jio TV and Amazon Prime |
| Afghanistan | ATN, RTA Sports | ATN digital platforms |
| Pakistan | PTV Sports | Tapmad |
| USA & Canada | Willow TV | Willow TV app, Sling TV |
| UK & Ireland | Sky Sports Cricket | Sky Go, NOW TV |
| Australia | Fox Cricket | Kayo Sports |
| South Africa | SuperSport | SuperSport App |
| UAE / MENA | CricLife | StarzPlay |
In India, FanCode holds the exclusive digital rights for this T20I series and is also routing its live feed through partner apps like Jio TV and Amazon Prime, so fans with existing subscriptions to those platforms can watch without needing a separate FanCode account.
FAQs About AFG vs IND 1st T20I
When is the Afghanistan vs India 1st T20I?
The match is scheduled for Sunday, September 13, 2026, at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi, starting at 7:00 PM IST.
Has Afghanistan ever beaten India in cricket?
No, Afghanistan has never beaten India in any format across 15 total matches, including 9 T20Is, though they did manage a tie in Bengaluru in January 2024 before losing the Super Over.
Why is Afghanistan the designated home team for a series played in Delhi?
Afghanistan does not currently host international cricket in its own country, so its home series are played at neutral venues, and this series officially counts as an Afghanistan home assignment despite being held in India.
What is the likely playing 11 for Afghanistan?
Expect Sediqullah Atal, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Darwish Rasooli, Azmatullah Omarzai, Gulbadin Naib, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi, and Naveen-ul-Haq.
What is the likely playing 11 for India?
Based on the squad announced, expect Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Sanju Samson, Shreyas Iyer, Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Arshdeep Singh, and Jasprit Bumrah.
Who is favored to win the 1st T20I?
India are the clear favorites given their unbeaten head to head record, deeper batting lineup, and better recent form, though Afghanistan’s spin attack makes them a competitive opponent capable of a shock result.
Who are the captains for this series?
Ibrahim Zadran captains Afghanistan, while Shreyas Iyer leads India with Tilak Varma as his deputy.
Is this the first time these two teams have played a bilateral T20I series?
No, this is their second bilateral T20I series, with the first coming in January 2024 across Mohali, Indore, and Bengaluru.
Where can I watch AFG vs IND 1st T20I live streaming?
In India, fans can watch on FanCode, Jio TV, or Amazon Prime, while international fans can check the broadcast table above for their specific region.
What is a good score to defend at Arun Jaitley Stadium?
Scores in the 170 to 190 range have generally been competitive at this venue, though dew in the evening can make defending a total tougher as the match progresses.
Final Word
India carry every statistical and form based advantage into this opening T20I, but cricket has a way of throwing up surprises, especially against an Afghanistan side with as much spin quality as this one. Keep an eye on how India’s middle order handles Rashid Khan and Noor Ahmad, since that battle could decide whether Afghanistan finally gets its first big scalp against the Men in Blue, or whether India extends their unbeaten run even further.
For live scores, detailed scorecards, and full match reports as the series continues, check platforms like ESPNcricinfo directly.
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