India vs Afghanistan T20I: Players, Form and Match Preview — International Fixtures

Cricket fans in India have something to look forward to. Afghanistan will host India for a three-match T20I series at Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium. The matches are scheduled for September 13, 15, and 17, 2026. This is the first time Afghanistan are hosting India in international cricket. All three games will be played in Delhi, with Afghanistan acting as the hosts.

This series is significant for both teams. India will use it to fine-tune their squad ahead of the Asian Games. Afghanistan will see it as an opportunity to finally break their winless streak against India. The last time these two teams met, India won a thriller in Bengaluru. That match went to a Super Over. Afghanistan have never beaten India in a T20I. They will be desperate to change that.

Series Overview: Afghanistan Host India in Delhi

The Afghanistan Cricket Board has officially announced the series. The three matches will be played at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi. The first T20I is on September 13, followed by matches on September 15 and 17. All games will begin at 07:00 PM IST.

The series serves as an important preparation window for the Asian Games, which begin on September 23, just four days after the final T20I. Both teams will want to head into that tournament with momentum.

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India Squad: Shreyas Iyer Leads a Balanced Side

Shreyas Iyer will captain India. Tilak Varma has been named his deputy. The squad includes a mix of experience and exciting young talent.

India Squad:

– Shreyas Iyer (Captain)

– Tilak Varma (Vice-Captain)

– Abhishek Sharma

– Vaibhav Sooryavanshi

– Sanju Samson (Wicketkeeper)

– Ishan Kishan (Wicketkeeper)

– Shivam Dube

– Nitish Kumar Reddy

– Axar Patel

– Washington Sundar

– Varun Chakaravarthy

– Ravi Bishnoi

– Jasprit Bumrah

– Arshdeep Singh

– Harshit Rana

Key Players to Watch from India:

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is the most talked-about name in this squad. At just 15 years old, he has already made a mark. He was India’s leading run-scorer in the Zimbabwe tour, smashing 151 runs at an average of 50.33 and a strike rate of 196.10. His ability to hit boundaries at will makes him a dangerous prospect for the Afghan bowlers.

Jasprit Bumrah returns to T20I cricket after a long break. He last played in the T20 World Cup final against New Zealand in March. His presence is a huge boost, but his fitness remains a concern. He is returning after a long break from international cricket. The team management will be cautious with him.

Ishan Kishan has been in good form lately. His aggressive batting at the top of the order can give India explosive starts. Sanju Samson will provide stability in the middle order. Axar Patel and Washington Sundar offer depth in both batting and bowling.

Afghanistan Squad: Rashid Khan Leads Spin Attack

Ibrahim Zadran will captain Afghanistan. This is his first full assignment as the T20I captain. Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, and Mohammad Nabi form a formidable spin attack.

Afghanistan 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

Key Players to Watch from Afghanistan:

Rashid Khan is one of the best T20 spinners in the game right now. His googly and variations make him a tough nut to crack, especially on a flat pitch like Delhi. Mujeeb Ur Rahman is another problem on the field. His combination of spin and accuracy will be fatal for batting side, if not taken seriously. 

While on the batting side, Afghanistan has a good order. Rahamanullah Gurbaz is their most explosive batsman whose aggressive style puts any bowling attack under pressure. Omarzai is another all-rounder who puts pressure on both ends of the game.

Naveen-ul-Haq returns to the squad after recovering from a stress fracture in his right shoulder. His pace and ability to bowl yorkers in the death overs will be crucial.

Uncapped Noor Rahman has been named in the squad. He is a wicketkeeper-batter who has earned his first national call-up.

Head-to-Head: India’s Dominance

The numbers heavily favour India. India and Afghanistan have played 9 T20Is. India have won 8. Afghanistan have won 0. One match ended in no result.

Head-to-Head Record:

The last time these two teams met, India won a thriller in Bengaluru. That match went to a Super Over. India held their nerve to win. Afghanistan came close but could not cross the line.

India’s dominance is clear. But Afghanistan have improved significantly in T20 cricket. They have beaten some of the best teams in the world in recent years. Their spin attack is world-class. Their batting has become more consistent. They will believe they can finally beat India.

Venue: Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi

All three matches will be played at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi. This is a high-scoring venue. The pitch is usually flat. Boundaries are short. Spinners often struggle here because the ball does not turn much. The early momentum can be setup by the pacers, but batsmen carry the gauntlet. 

The crowd in Delhi is known for its passionate support. Indian fans will pack the stadium. Afghanistan will be playing on Indian soil but will have to face the crowd’s roar against them.

Key Players to Watch

For India:

1. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi – His ability to score quickly and dominate spin will be crucial. Afghanistan’s spinners are world-class, and Sooryavanshi’s form will be tested.
2. Jasprit Bumrah – His return is a huge boost. His accuracy and variations in the death overs can restrict Afghanistan’s scoring.
3. Sanju Samson – He provides stability in the middle order. His ability to rotate strike and hit boundaries makes him a reliable finisher.

For Afghanistan:

1. Rashid Khan – He is Afghanistan’s biggest weapon. His ability to bowl in the powerplay and death overs makes him a match-winner.
2. Rahmanullah Gurbaz – His aggressive batting at the top can set the tone. If he gets going, Afghanistan can post a big total.
3. Ibrahim Zadran – As captain, he needs to lead from the front. His consistency will be key to Afghanistan’s chances.

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Where to Watch

Fans in India can watch the matches live on the Sony Sports Network. The matches will also be streamed live on the SonyLIV app and website. FanCode will also stream the matches.

– Broadcast: Sony Sports Network

– Streaming: SonyLIV app and website; FanCode

Match Prediction: Who Has the Edge?

India start as clear favourites. Their head-to-head record is dominant. Their squad is more balanced. They have more experienced players. But Afghanistan have a world-class spin attack that can trouble any lineup.

If Afghanistan’s batters can put up a competitive total, their spinners will defend it well. If India’s batting clicks, they will win comfortably.

The first match on September 13 will set the tone. Afghanistan have never beaten India in a T20I. They will be desperate to change that. India will want to maintain their dominance. Expect a competitive series.

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