India vs Afghanistan 1st T20I: The series marks the return of both teams to bilateral T20I action against each other after their previous three-match series in January 2024. India won that series 3-0, including the dramatic third T20I in Bengaluru that was decided after two Super Overs. Afghanistan, however, will be eager to produce a historic first win over India in international cricket.
The hosts come into the series with a strong core featuring Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Azmatullah Omarzai, Noor Ahmad and Naveen-ul-Haq. Ibrahim Zadran has taken over as Afghanistan’s T20I captain, while Rashid Khan remains one of the team’s most important match-winners.
India, meanwhile, return to action with a near full-strength T20I squad. Jasprit Bumrah and Varun Chakravarthy are back in the setup, adding significant quality to the bowling attack. Captain Shreyas Iyer will also have to make important selection calls, particularly around the opening combination involving Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Sanju Samson.
The Arun Jaitley Stadium could provide a cracker contest. The venue’s relatively short boundaries can make it a high-scoring ground, but Afghanistan’s strong spin attack, led by Rashid Khan and Noor Ahmad, could pose a major challenge to India’s batting line-up.
Afghanistan vs India 1st T20I Match Details
Tournament: Afghanistan vs India in India 2026
Match: Afghanistan vs India, 1st T20I
Date: Sunday, September 13, 2026
Time: 7:30 PM Local Time | 2:00 PM GMT | 7:30 PM IST
Venue: Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi
Afghanistan vs India T20I Head-to-Head Record
Total T20Is Played: 9
India Won: 8
Afghanistan Won: 0
No Result: 1
Last T20I Meeting: India defeated Afghanistan by 47 runs in the 2024 T20 World Cup.
Probable Playing XIs
Afghanistan (Probable XI): Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Ibrahim Zadran (Captain), Gulbadin Naib, Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi/Naveen-ul-Haq.
India (Probable XI): Two out of Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan (WK), Shreyas Iyer (Captain), Tilak Varma, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakravarthy.
Afghanistan vs India Squads
Afghanistan Squad: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Ibrahim Zadran (Captain), Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Gulbadin Naib, Mohammad Nabi, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad, Naveen-ul-Haq, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor ul Rahman, Abdullah Ahmadzai, Nangeyalia Kharoti.
India Squad: Ishan Kishan (WK), Shreyas Iyer (Captain), Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah, Yash Thakur, Ravi Bishnoi, Sanju Samson, Washington Sundar, Nitish Kumar Reddy.
Afghanistan vs India 1st T20I Live Streaming: How To Watch The Match In India And Other Countries?
India
TV Broadcast: Sony TV
Live Streaming: FanCode App & Website
Afghanistan
TV Broadcast: Ariana TV
Live Streaming: My E& App
North America
TV Broadcast: Willow TV
Live Streaming: Willow TV
United Kingdom
TV Broadcast: JioHotstar
Live Streaming: JioHotstar
MENA & Southeast Asia
TV Broadcast: Cricbuzz
Live Streaming: Cricbuzz
Pakistan
TV Broadcast: A Sports TV
Live Streaming: Tamasha
Australia
TV Broadcast: Fox Sports
Live Streaming: Fox Sports
Europe, Africa & Rest of the World
Live Streaming: Sports Central YouTube
Bangladesh
Live Streaming: Tapmad
Stats and Trivia
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Afghanistan and India have played nine T20Is, with India winning eight and one ending without a result.
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Afghanistan are yet to record a T20I victory over India.
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The two sides last played a bilateral T20I series in January 2024, when India won 3-0.
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The third T20I of that series in Bengaluru was tied before India won the contest after two Super Overs.
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Rashid Khan is seven wickets away from becoming the first bowler to reach 200 T20I wickets.
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Mohammad Nabi is 52 runs short of becoming the first Afghan player to score 2,500 T20I runs.
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If he plays, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi will continue to attract attention as one of the youngest players to represent India at international level.
