Quick Answer
Afghanistan and India play a three match T20I series Afghanistan vs India from September 13 to September 17, 2026, with every game held at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi. This is officially an Afghanistan home series, even though it is being played entirely on Indian soil, since Afghanistan cannot host international cricket at home. Ibrahim Zadran captains Afghanistan, while Shreyas Iyer leads India, with Tilak Varma as his vice captain. India go into the series as the reigning T20 World Cup champions, and they hold a strong record against Afghanistan, having won 8 of the last 9 T20Is between the two sides. You can watch the series on Sony Sports Network on TV and on FanCode for streaming.
Follow the live score and match updates on CRIC INFO 365 once the first match begins.
When and Where Are the Afghanistan vs India Matches Being Played?
| Match | Date | Day | Venue | Time (IST) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st T20I | September 13, 2026 | Sunday | Arun Jaitley Stadium, New Delhi | 7:00 PM |
| 2nd T20I | September 15, 2026 | Tuesday | Arun Jaitley Stadium, New Delhi | 7:00 PM |
| 3rd T20I | September 17, 2026 | Thursday | Arun Jaitley Stadium, New Delhi | 7:00 PM |
All three matches are being played at the same ground, which is a little unusual for a bilateral series. Normally teams move between two or three cities, but here both sides will play every match at Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi. That gives both teams a chance to get comfortable with the same conditions instead of adjusting to a new pitch and outfield for every game.
Quick Facts About Arun Jaitley Stadium
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Arun Jaitley Cricket Stadium |
| Former name | Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium |
| Owner and operator | Delhi and District Cricket Association |
| Capacity | 41,000 |
| Opened | 1883 |
| Last renovated | 2023, at a cost of ₹114.5 crore |
| First T20I hosted here | Afghanistan vs England, March 23, 2016 |
| Home team that plays here | Delhi Capitals (IPL) |
There is a nice bit of history in that last row. The very first T20I ever played at this ground back in 2016 involved Afghanistan, so this series brings them back to a venue that already has a small connection to their team.
Why Is Afghanistan Hosting a Series in India?
This part confuses a lot of fans, so it is worth explaining clearly. According to Wikipedia’s page on the series, this series is part of Afghanistan’s official Future Tours Programme, and Afghanistan is listed as the host nation, even though every match takes place in New Delhi. Afghanistan has not been able to host international cricket inside the country for security reasons for several years now, so the Afghanistan Cricket Board arranges its home matches in countries like India, the UAE, or Sri Lanka instead. The BCCI confirmed the series on August 12, 2026, agreeing to host Afghanistan’s home matches in Delhi.
What Is the Full Squad for Afghanistan?
Afghanistan have named a squad built around their usual core of experienced white ball players, with a boost from the return of fast bowler Naveen ul Haq.
| # | Player | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ibrahim Zadran | Captain, batter |
| 2 | Rahmanullah Gurbaz | Wicketkeeper, batter |
| 3 | Noor Rahman | Wicketkeeper, batter |
| 4 | Sediqullah Atal | Batter |
| 5 | Darwish Rasooli | Batter |
| 6 | Azmatullah Omarzai | All rounder |
| 7 | Gulbadin Naib | All rounder |
| 8 | Mohammad Nabi | All rounder |
| 9 | Rashid Khan | Spin bowler |
| 10 | Nangyal Kharoti | Bowler |
| 11 | Noor Ahmad | Spin bowler |
| 12 | Mujeeb Ur Rahman | Spin bowler |
| 13 | Fazalhaq Farooqi | Fast bowler |
| 14 | Abdullah Ahmadzai | Batter |
| 15 | Naveen ul Haq | Fast bowler |
According to Cricinfo, Naveen ul Haq’s return to the squad, confirmed on August 24, 2026, gives Afghanistan a much stronger seam bowling unit alongside Fazalhaq Farooqi, on top of an already dangerous spin attack led by Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, and Noor Ahmad. This is genuinely one of the best spin heavy attacks in world T20 cricket right now, and it is the main reason Afghanistan are considered a difficult team to face in this format.
What Is the Full Squad for India?
India have named a squad that mixes recent T20 World Cup winners with a few key players returning from injury, subject to fitness clearance.
| # | Player | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shreyas Iyer | Captain, batter |
| 2 | Tilak Varma | Vice captain, batter |
| 3 | Abhishek Sharma | Batter |
| 4 | Vaibhav Sooryavanshi | Batter |
| 5 | Sanju Samson | Wicketkeeper, batter |
| 6 | Ishan Kishan | Wicketkeeper, batter |
| 7 | Shivam Dube | All rounder |
| 8 | Nitish Kumar Reddy | All rounder (fitness clearance pending) |
| 9 | Axar Patel | All rounder |
| 10 | Washington Sundar | All rounder (fitness clearance pending) |
| 11 | Varun Chakaravarthy | Spin bowler |
| 12 | Ravi Bishnoi | Spin bowler |
| 13 | Jasprit Bumrah | Fast bowler (fitness clearance pending) |
| 14 | Arshdeep Singh | Fast bowler |
| 15 | Harshit Rana | Fast bowler (fitness clearance pending) |
Four players need to clear a fitness test at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence before they can be confirmed for the series. Notably, Hardik Pandya has not been included this time, as he is still working his way back from injury. Sanju Samson returns to the squad after playing a key role in India’s 2026 T20 World Cup win, and Varun Chakaravarthy is also back after recovering from a hamstring injury picked up during the T20I series in England in July.
This series also doubles as preparation for India ahead of the Asian Games in Japan later in September, so expect the team management to use these three matches to test combinations rather than just chase results. With four fitness cases in the squad, selectors will also be watching closely to see who is ready for the bigger assignments coming up later in the year, which adds an extra layer of interest beyond just who wins each game.
What Does the Head to Head Record Say About Afghanistan vs India?
| Head to Head (T20Is) | Record |
|---|---|
| Total matches played | 9 |
| India wins | 8 |
| Afghanistan wins | 0 |
| No result | 1 |
| Most memorable meeting | 2023 Asian Games final, India won gold under Ruturaj Gaikwad |
That lopsided head to head record does not mean this series will be one sided, though. Afghanistan have grown into one of the most respected T20 sides in the world, built around a spin attack that troubles even the best batting line ups, and India’s recent form in this format has actually been shaky, with defeats to both Ireland and England in their last few series before beating Zimbabwe 3-0. A gap this wide in the head to head numbers usually comes from India simply being the stronger side across most of the last decade, but recent results suggest that gap has narrowed, and Afghanistan will fancy their chances of finally breaking through against a full strength Indian side.
Where Can You Watch This Series Afghanistan vs India?
| Platform | Type | Region |
|---|---|---|
| Sony Sports Network | Television broadcast | India |
| FanCode | Live streaming | India |
For digital streaming, FanCode offers both a series pass covering all three games and a pay per match option. According to Sunday Guardian Live, the global broadcast rights for this series are held by ITW Universe, who awarded the Indian television rights to Sony Sports Network after discussions with other broadcasters including JioStar, Zee, and Unite8.
What About Ticket Prices and Booking for Afghanistan vs India?
If you are planning to watch a match from the stadium, here is what tickets cost as things stand.
| Seating Category | Price Range |
|---|---|
| General Admission and Terrace Stands | ₹349 to ₹499 |
| Mid Range Stands (East and West, Lower and Upper) | ₹749 to ₹2,500 |
Tickets went on sale on August 21 at 11 AM through thumpN, the official ticketing partner for the series. According to Sportsdunia, the cheaper General Admission and Terrace Stand tickets for the first and second T20I have already sold out, though tickets for the third T20I remain available across all categories at the time of writing.
What About Match Officials and Commentary for Afghanistan vs India?
At the time of writing, the specific on field umpires, third umpire, and match referee for this series had not yet been officially announced. These appointments are usually confirmed by the ICC or the host board closer to the start of the series, so it is worth checking the official BCCI or ICC website in the days before September 13 for the confirmed panel. The same applies to the commentary team for the Sony Sports Network broadcast, which is typically announced closer to the first match rather than months in advance.
What Should You Watch For in This Series Afghanistan vs India?
A few storylines make this series worth following beyond the result. First, how India’s fitness cases, Bumrah, Washington Sundar, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Harshit Rana, come through their clearance tests will shape the balance of the team across all three games. Second, Afghanistan’s spin trio of Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, and Noor Ahmad against India’s top order is a genuine contest worth watching on its own, regardless of the final scoreline. Third, playing every match at a single venue means both sides will adjust quickly, so do not be surprised if the series gets sharper and more competitive with each match as both teams learn the pitch.
Young opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is another name worth tracking through this series. He has been one of the more talked about batting prospects in Indian cricket over the past year, and a three match series against a strong spin attack like Afghanistan’s is exactly the kind of test that will show how far his game has come at this level.
FAQs
When does the Afghanistan vs India T20I series start?
The series starts on September 13, 2026, and runs through September 17, 2026.
Where are all the matches of Afghanistan vs India being played?
Every match is being played at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi.
Why is this called an Afghanistan home series if it is played in India?
Afghanistan cannot host international cricket inside the country for security reasons, so their home matches are played in other countries, including India, as part of an official hosting arrangement.
Who are the captains for this series Afghanistan vs India?
Ibrahim Zadran captains Afghanistan. Shreyas Iyer captains India, with Tilak Varma as vice captain.
What is the head to head record between Afghanistan and India in T20Is?
The two sides have played 9 T20Is, with India winning 8 and one match ending in no result.
Where can I watch the Afghanistan vs India T20I series?
Sony Sports Network holds the television rights in India, and FanCode holds the digital streaming rights.
Is Jasprit Bumrah playing in this series?
He has been named in the squad but needs to clear a fitness test at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence before he is confirmed to play.
How much do tickets cost for the Afghanistan vs India series?
General Admission and Terrace Stand tickets range from ₹349 to ₹499, while Mid Range Stand tickets cost between ₹749 and ₹2,500. Tickets for the first two matches in the cheaper categories have already sold out.
What is the capacity of the Arun Jaitley Stadium?
The stadium holds around 41,000 spectators and was last renovated in 2023 at a cost of ₹114.5 crore.
Who is likely to win the Afghanistan vs India T20I series?
Based on the head to head record and India’s status as reigning T20 World Cup champions, India go in as favourites, though Afghanistan’s spin attack and India’s recent shaky T20I form against Ireland and England mean this series is closer than the numbers suggest.
Where can I follow live scores for this series Afghanistan vs India?
You can follow live scores and updates on CRIC INFO 365.
This coverage is brought to you by CRIC INFO 365 — built to give cricket fans fast, reliable live scorecards, match reports, and analysis for every Test, ODI, and T20 as it happens.
