IND vs AFG: The wait is finally over as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) have confirmed the schedule for the upcoming India tour of Afghanistan 2026. The two teams will lock horns in a three-match T20I series at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi next month, with matches scheduled for September 13, 15 and 17. The confirmation comes a day after reports indicated that the ACB had finalised the dates after receiving the BCCI’s approval. The series will be a landmark occasion for Afghanistan, who will officially host India in a bilateral series on Indian soil for the first time. Afghanistan have previously used Indian venues including Greater Noida, Dehradun and Lucknow for home fixtures, but have never designated India as their opponent in a home series here.
India vs Afghanistan T20I Series: Full Schedule
The three-match series will be played entirely at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi. The opening T20I will take place on September 13, followed by the second match on September 15. The series finale is scheduled for September 17.
| Match | Date | Venue |
| 1st T20I | September 13 | Arun Jaitley Stadium, New Delhi |
| 2nd T20I | September 15 | Arun Jaitley Stadium, New Delhi |
| 3rd T20I | September 17 | Arun Jaitley Stadium, New Delhi |
The schedule had initially been reported as tentative, but the ACB subsequently confirmed that the dates and venue had been agreed with the BCCI.
Historic Series For Afghanistan
The series represents a significant moment for Afghanistan cricket. Although the Afghanistan team has regularly played its home fixtures outside the country because of the lack of suitable infrastructure, India has become one of its established adopted bases. However, Afghanistan have never officially hosted India in a bilateral series on Indian soil.
The unusual arrangement will see Afghanistan designated as the home side while the matches are played in Delhi. It is another indication of the strong cricketing relationship between the two boards and gives Afghanistan an opportunity to stage a major bilateral series against one of the world’s leading cricket nations.
India’s Busy September Schedule
The Afghanistan series has been slotted into an important period in India’s calendar. The team is scheduled to complete its two-Test tour of Sri Lanka before returning for the three T20Is against Afghanistan. The final T20I on September 17 will also come shortly before the Asian Games in Japan, which begin on September 24.
The Delhi matches could therefore serve as valuable T20 preparation for India ahead of the continental event. Afghanistan, meanwhile, will be eager to make the most of their return to T20I cricket after their campaign at the 2026 T20 World Cup.
Bangladesh Series Effectively Off The Table
The confirmation of the Afghanistan dates also has major implications for India’s proposed Bangladesh tour. The Bangladesh Cricket Board had earmarked September 1 to 13 for a six-match white-ball series, but the dates now overlap with India’s confirmed Afghanistan commitment.
With the BCCI and ACB having agreed on the September 13-17 window, the Bangladesh assignment appears highly unlikely unless there is an unexpected change at the administrative or government level.
The India-Afghanistan series will consequently become one of the key international cricket attractions in Delhi next month, with all eyes now turning towards the squad selections and broadcast details.
