India’s Men’s Selection Committee has named a 15-member squad for the upcoming three-match T20I series against Afghanistan. Shreyas Iyer will continue as captain, with Tilak Varma serving as his deputy. The series begins on September 13, 2026, and marks the next entry in the India National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Timeline, a rivalry that has grown steadily since the two sides first played a bilateral series in 2024.
All three matches will be played at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi, with Afghanistan designated as the home side despite the venue being on Indian soil. The matches are scheduled as day-night fixtures starting at 7:00 PM IST, on September 13, 15, and 17.
Why this series matters
India arrive on the back of a 3-0 T20I sweep of Zimbabwe and sit at the top of the ICC T20I rankings as the reigning world champions, having won the 2026 T20 World Cup final against New Zealand in March. The Afghanistan series is India’s final T20I assignment before the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, where the men’s cricket competition begins on September 24.
For Afghanistan, ranked 10th in the world, the series is a first assignment for new full-time T20I captain Ibrahim Zadran, who takes over leadership duties from Rashid Khan. It is also a landmark moment off the field. Afghanistan Cricket Board chief executive Naseeb Khan said hosting a major cricketing nation for the first time reflects the progress Afghan cricket has made toward its strategic goals.
The two sides last met in a bilateral T20I series in January 2024, when India won 3-0, though Afghanistan pushed the contest to a close finish in the final match in Bengaluru.
India’s squad
| Player | Role |
|---|---|
| Shreyas Iyer (C) | Batter |
| Tilak Varma (VC) | Batter |
| Abhishek Sharma | Batter |
| Vaibhav Sooryavanshi | Batter |
| Sanju Samson (WK) | Wicketkeeper |
| Ishan Kishan (WK) | Wicketkeeper |
| Shivam Dube | All-rounder |
| Nitish Kumar Reddy* | All-rounder |
| Axar Patel | All-rounder |
| Washington Sundar* | All-rounder |
| Varun Chakaravarthy | Spinner |
| Ravi Bishnoi | Spinner |
| Jasprit Bumrah* | Pacer |
| Arshdeep Singh | Pacer |
| Harshit Rana* | Pacer |
*Subject to fitness clearance from the BCCI Centre of Excellence.
Sanju Samson returns to the T20I fold after missing India’s tour of Zimbabwe in July, and Varun Chakaravarthy is back after a hamstring injury ruled him out of the England series in July. Jasprit Bumrah returns to T20I cricket for the first time since the World Cup final in March. Teenage opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi keeps his place after a standout Zimbabwe series, where his 18-ball fifty made him the youngest player to reach a T20I half-century.
Afghanistan’s squad
| Player | Role |
|---|---|
| Ibrahim Zadran (C) | Batter |
| Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK) | Wicketkeeper |
| Noor Rahman (WK) | Wicketkeeper |
| Sediqullah Atal | Batter |
| Darwish Rasooli | Batter |
| Azmatullah Omarzai | All-rounder |
| Gulbadin Naib | All-rounder |
| Mohammad Nabi | All-rounder |
| Rashid Khan | Spinner |
| Nangyal Kharoti | Spinner |
| Noor Ahmad | Spinner |
| Mujeeb Ur Rahman | Spinner |
| Fazalhaq Farooqi | Pacer |
| Abdullah Ahmadzai | Pacer |
| Naveen-ul-Haq | Pacer |
Fast bowler Naveen-ul-Haq returns after recovering from a stress fracture in his right shoulder, an injury that kept him out of Afghanistan’s series against West Indies and the 2026 T20 World Cup. Wicketkeeper-batter Noor Rahman earns his first call-up on the back of strong domestic and A-team performances. Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi, and Gulbadin Naib give the squad significant experience alongside a spin attack that also includes Noor Ahmad, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, and Nangyal Kharoti.
Series schedule
| Match | Date | Venue | Time (IST) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st T20I | September 13, 2026 | Arun Jaitley Stadium, New Delhi | 7:00 PM |
| 2nd T20I | September 15, 2026 | Arun Jaitley Stadium, New Delhi | 7:00 PM |
| 3rd T20I | September 17, 2026 | Arun Jaitley Stadium, New Delhi | 7:00 PM |
Both squads carry a blend of established internationals and emerging talent, and the series gives each side a competitive platform before their respective assignments later in September. For India, it is preparation heading into the Asian Games. For Afghanistan, it is a chance to test their new leadership structure against the top-ranked side in the format.
