India and Afghanistan are set to begin their three-match T20I series on September 13, with Afghanistan serving as the official host. India head into the contest as the reigning T20 World Cup champions, but with several established names rested or unavailable, Shreyas Iyer will lead a youthful squad. India’s recent performances have highlighted their depth, while 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi remains one of the biggest players to watch. Jasprit Bumrah and Nitish Kumar Reddy have also cleared their fitness tests, while Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan add wicketkeeping options to the squad.
Afghanistan, meanwhile, will be looking to make the most of home conditions with a squad packed with proven T20 talent. Ibrahim Zadran takes over as the team’s full-time T20I captain, while fast bowler Naveen-ul-Haq returns after recovering from a shoulder injury. Afghanistan’s bowling attack could pose a major challenge, with Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Noor Ahmad giving the side a formidable spin combination. With both teams looking to test their squads ahead of bigger assignments, the series promises an intriguing battle between India’s young depth and Afghanistan’s dangerous bowling unit.
AFG vs IND T20I Series 2026: Full Schedule, Dates and Match Timings
| Match | Date | Venue | Timing (IST) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st T20I | 13 September 2026 | Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi | 7:00 PM |
| 2nd T20I | 15 September 2026 | Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi | 7:00 PM |
| 3rd T20I | 17 September 2026 | Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi | 7:00 PM |
India vs Afghanistan T20I Head-to-Head Record: Who Has the Edge?
India have dominated Afghanistan in men’s T20Is, with the two teams meeting nine times so far. Afghanistan are still searching for their first official win against the Men in Blue, with India claiming eight victories, while one match ended in a tie that India won via a Super Over. Their first T20I meeting came at the 2010 T20 World Cup in Gros Islet, where India comfortably secured a seven-wicket win. The rivalry produced one of its most memorable contests in January 2024, when India and Afghanistan finished level on 212 runs in Bengaluru before India eventually prevailed in a rare double Super Over thriller.
The most recent meeting took place at the 2024 T20 World Cup in Bridgetown, where India extended their unbeaten record against Afghanistan with a 47-run victory. While the head-to-head numbers clearly put India ahead, Afghanistan have the firepower to challenge that dominance. Their aggressive batters and varied spin attack could make the upcoming series a tougher contest, as they look to finally register their first T20I victory over India.
India vs Afghanistan T20I Live Streaming: Where to Watch in India, USA, UK, Afghanistan and More
| Region | TV Channel | Live Streaming Platform |
|---|---|---|
| India | Sony Sports Network (Sony Sports Ten 5 SD/HD) | FanCode App & Website, also via Amazon Prime Video & JioTV |
| USA & Canada | Willow TV | Willow TV via YuppTV or the Willow App |
| United Kingdom | — | JioHotstar UK |
| Afghanistan | Ariana Television (ATN Sport) | Ariana Television Live (without VPN) |
| Nepal, Maldives & Bhutan | Sony Sports Network | Regional FanCode / Partner Feeds |
India vs Afghanistan T20I Squads: Full Players List for the 2026 Series
India: Shreyas Iyer, Tilak Varma, Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan, Axar Patel, Hardik Pandya, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Shivam Dube, Washington Sundar, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Ravi Bishnoi, Varun Chakaravarthy, Yash Thakur
Afghanistan: Ibrahim Zadran, Darwish Rasooli, Sediqullah Atal, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Noor Rahman, Azmatullah Omarzai, Gulbadin Naib, Mohammad Nabi, Nangyal Kharoti, Abdullah Ahmadzai, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Naveen-ul-Haq, Noor Ahmad, Rashid Khan
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