The stage has been set for an intriguing battle in New Delhi as Afghanistan prepare to take on India in the opening match of their three-game T20I series on September 13, 2026. The Arun Jaitley Stadium will host the contest, and the match is set to begin at 7:00 PM IST.
While all three matches will be played on Indian soil, Afghanistan are the designated hosts, and the series has a fascinating angle as India have held the upper hand in the fixture, winning four of their five T20I encounters against Afghanistan, with one tie.
Their most recent bilateral series ended with India achieving a 2-0 victory; however, one of the most astonishing finishes in T20I history was produced during the third match in Bengaluru, which eventually went to two Super Overs.
Can Afghanistan challenge India's dominance?
Afghanistan will enter the series with a deep bench, brimming with talent and experience. Ibrahim Zadran will lead his men, while the likes of Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi and Azmatullah Omarzai provide a healthy mix of firepower in the batting department.
With a potent mix of explosive hitting, quality spin and experience, Afghanistan are a team to watch out for in the upcoming encounters against India. The visitors are likely to field a balanced side that has both attacking flair and a reliable core.
Sediqullah Atal, Rahmanullah Gurbaz likely to open
Sediqullah Atal and Rahmanullah Gurbaz are expected to lead Afghanistan's charge. Atal is a promising batsman and could capitalize on the fielding restrictions during the powerplay.
Gurbaz, on the other hand, has a wealth of experience in limited-overs cricket and is a dangerous player when in form. As the wicketkeeper-batter, he will have a special responsibility of holding the innings together at the back end.
Afghanistan captain Ibrahim Zadran is likely to bat at three. In contrast to the exciting opening pair, Zadran offers solidity and could steady the innings if early wickets fall.
Omarzai and Nabi add experience to middle order
Darwish Rasooli could bat at four, and his job will be to accelerate the innings during the middle overs. With the ability to rotate strike and hit the gaps, Rasooli will be key to counter India's diverse bowling attack.
Afghanistan are likely to promote Azmatullah Omarzai to five. The all-rounder offers solidity with the bat and is a handy option with the ball, providing Ibrahim Zadran with an extra selection option at the back end.
Mohammad Nabi may come in at six. The veteran all-rounder is one of the most experienced players in the squad and could play a crucial role in Delhi. Nabi's off-spin could also be handy against India's right-handers, giving Zadran an extra weapon.
Rashid Khan leads spin-heavy bowling attack
Afghanistan are likely to utilize the spin-friendly conditions on offer at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. With Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad and Mujeeb Ur Rahman in the side, the visitors have a deep pool of slow bowlers to choose from.
As always, Rashid Khan will be Afghanistan's most dangerous bowler. The leg-spinner will be vital during the middle and death overs, where he can extract bounce and dip to concede runs at a decent rate.
Noor Ahmad has evolved as a reliable wicket-taker in T20 cricket. The left-arm orthodox spinner can be dangerous on a pitch that will offer help to the spinners. He will be a crucial player for Afghanistan during the T20I series.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman will provide diversity to Afghanistan's spin attack. The young leg-spinner is handy in both the powerplay and the death, and his ability to bowl yorkers can be handy against India's aggressive batting unit.
Farooqi and Naveen provide pace options
Fazalhaq Farooqi is expected to lead Afghanistan's pace attack. The left-arm seamer will be crucial during the powerplay and can also bowl at the death. Farooqi's ability to swing the ball will be vital against India's dangerous top order.
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Naveen-ul-Haq could be the other bowler to watch out for in the Afghanistan side. The pacer has a bag of tricks and can bowl at the death, which is a specialty that few other bowlers in the squad possess.
Naveen is set to make a welcome return to the national T20I team. He is poised to feature in the T20I series for the first time since December 2024, and his experience will be vital against a high-quality Indian side.
Predicted Afghanistan XI: Sediqullah Atal, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran (c), Darwish Rasooli, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Naveen-ul-Haq.
With India entering the series as favorites given their previous form, Afghanistan will be aiming to turn it around in order to put an end to their dominance. The first T20I in New Delhi could, therefore, set the tone for what is sure to be a fascinating three-match series.