Quick answer: India take on Afghanistan in the 1st T20I (IND vs AFG) 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 have never lost to Afghanistan in a T20I, and with a fresh young squad under Shreyas Iyer, they go in as clear favorites against an Afghan side chasing a first ever win over them in any format.
Here’s everything you need before the toss.
Match Details at a Glance
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Match | 1st T20I, India vs Afghanistan 2026 (IND vs AFG) |
| Series | 3-match T20I series |
| Date | Sunday, September 13, 2026 |
| Venue | Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi |
| Start time (IST) | 7:00 PM |
| Home team (designated) | 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 IND vs AFG 1st T20I?
This match (IND vs AFG) is part of a three-match T20I series between India and Afghanistan, with all three games being played at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi. Interestingly, Afghanistan is the officially designated home team for this series, even though every match takes place on Indian soil, since Afghanistan does not currently host international cricket at home.
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 viewing window, while those in the US will need an early start to catch this one live.
Why Does This Series Matter for Both Teams?
This series (IND vs AFG) is a bigger deal than a routine bilateral fixture for a few reasons. India are the reigning T20 World Champions and the top ranked side in T20I cricket, but they have gone with a notably younger squad here, with senior names like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and KL Rahul left out. Shreyas Iyer continues as captain, with Tilak Varma as his deputy, and the series doubles as an opportunity to test emerging talent like Vaibhav Sooryavanshi ahead of the next World Cup cycle.
For Afghanistan, this is a genuine opportunity to finally beat India in international cricket. Despite years of steady improvement and reaching the semifinal of the 2024 T20 World Cup, Afghanistan has never beaten India in a Test, ODI, or T20I. A win here, even in a dead rubber later in the series, would be a landmark moment for Afghan cricket.
What Is the IND vs AFG Playing 11 for the 1st T20I?
Lineups officially get confirmed only at the toss, but based on squad depth and team combinations, here’s what both sides are likely to field.
| No. | India (Probable XI) | Afghanistan (Probable XI) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Abhishek Sharma | Sediqullah Atal |
| 2 | Vaibhav Sooryavanshi | Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk) |
| 3 | Sanju Samson (wk) | Ibrahim Zadran (c) |
| 4 | Shreyas Iyer (c) | Darwish Rasooli |
| 5 | Tilak Varma | Azmatullah Omarzai |
| 6 | Shivam Dube | Gulbadin Naib |
| 7 | Nitish Kumar Reddy | Mohammad Nabi |
| 8 | Axar Patel | Rashid Khan |
| 9 | Washington Sundar | Noor Ahmad |
| 10 | Arshdeep Singh | Fazalhaq Farooqi |
| 11 | Jasprit Bumrah | Naveen-ul-Haq |
India’s batting order carries a good mix of youth and experience, with Abhishek Sharma and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi expected to attack early, backed by Shreyas Iyer and Tilak Varma in the middle. Afghanistan counter with their usual core of Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, and Mohammad Nabi, while Rashid Khan and Noor Ahmad give them a genuinely dangerous spin attack in home-like conditions. Full squad lists for both sides are available on ESPNcricinfo’s team pages.
Who Are the Key Players to Watch in IND vs AFG?
| Team | Player | Why He Matters |
|---|---|---|
| India | Abhishek Sharma | Explosive opener capable of taking the game away in the powerplay |
| India | Jasprit Bumrah | World class fast bowler who can control the new ball and the death overs |
| India | Vaibhav Sooryavanshi | Teenage batting prodigy getting a fresh opportunity at the top of the order |
| Afghanistan | Rashid Khan | Legendary leg-spinner who can turn any match on its own merit |
| Afghanistan | Rahmanullah Gurbaz | Aggressive opener who has troubled strong bowling attacks before |
| Afghanistan | Mohammad Nabi | Experienced all-rounder who adds calm and control in the middle overs |
What Is the Head to Head Record of IND vs AFG?
India’s record against Afghanistan is arguably their cleanest against any full member nation. Across every format, Afghanistan has never beaten India.
| 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 IND vs AFG 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 closest Afghanistan has come to beating India in a T20I was the tied match in Bengaluru back in January 2024, which India eventually won through a Super Over. That match remains the benchmark for how competitive this fixture can get on its day. You can read more about that historic tie on ESPNcricinfo.
What Does the Pitch Report Say About Arun Jaitley Stadium?
The Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi is generally regarded as a good all-round T20 surface, offering a fair balance between bat and ball, though September conditions can bring some dew as the match progresses.
| 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, once the ball loses its hardness |
| Toss impact | Batting first can help avoid the dew factor later in the evening |
Given the batting depth India possess and Afghanistan’s ability to counter with spin, expect a competitive total in the 170s or higher if the team batting first gets a strong start.
Fantasy Cricket Tips for IND vs AFG 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: Abhishek Sharma, given his explosive potential at the top of India’s order.
- Vice-captain pick: Rashid Khan, who remains one of the most reliable wicket-taking options in world cricket.
- Value pick: Nitish Kumar Reddy, who offers useful contributions with both bat and ball if selected.
- Differential pick: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who could provide a big scoring impact if given an extended run at the top.
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 IND vs AFG?
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 to grip for bowlers in the second innings.
Who Is Favored to Win the IND vs AFG 1st T20I?
India go in as clear favorites, backed by their unbeaten head to head record, home conditions in all but name, and a batting lineup with serious depth from top to bottom. Even with several senior players rested, the squad still carries enough firepower and control to be considered heavy favorites.
Afghanistan, however, are not to be underestimated. With Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad, and Mohammad Nabi all capable of controlling the middle overs, and Rahmanullah Gurbaz capable of quick starts, they have shown in the past that they can push India close, even if they haven’t managed to get over the line yet.
| Factor | Advantage |
|---|---|
| All-time head to head | India |
| Squad depth | India |
| Spin bowling threat | Afghanistan |
| Conditions | India (effectively home conditions) |
| Overall prediction | India favored |
Where to Watch IND vs AFG 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 IND vs AFG 1st T20I
When is the India vs Afghanistan (IND vs AFG) 1st T20I?
The match is scheduled for Sunday, September 13, 2026, at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi, starting at 7:00 PM IST.
What is the likely playing 11 for India in IND vs AFG?
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.
What is the likely playing 11 for Afghanistan in IND vs AFG?
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.
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.
Who is favored to win the IND vs AFG 1st T20I?
India are the clear favorites given their unbeaten head to head record, deeper batting lineup, and effective home conditions, though Afghanistan’s spin attack makes them a competitive opponent.
Who are the captains for this series?
Shreyas Iyer captains India, with Tilak Varma as his deputy, while Ibrahim Zadran leads Afghanistan.
Why is Afghanistan the designated home team if the matches are in India?
Afghanistan does not currently host international cricket in its own country, so it plays home series at neutral venues, and this particular series is officially part of Afghanistan’s home assignments even though it’s held in Delhi.
Where can I watch IND vs AFG 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
This opening IND vs AFG T20I sets the tone for what should be an entertaining series, even with the result looking fairly predictable on paper. India bring serious batting depth and a fresh crop of talent looking to make an impression, while Afghanistan will lean on their world class spin attack in the hope of finally breaking their long losing streak against India. Keep an eye on how Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Rashid Khan match up, since that battle alone could shape the course of the innings.
For live scores, detailed scorecards, and full match reports as the series continues, check platforms like ESPNcricinfo directly.
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