India Tour of Afghanistan 2026 Overview
The India Tour of Afghanistan consists of three T20I matches, with all three fixtures scheduled to take place in New Delhi.
- Tour: India Tour of Afghanistan 2026
- Format: T20I
- Start date: September 13, 2026
- End date: September 17, 2026
- Matches: 3 T20Is
- Teams: Afghanistan and India
- Venue: Arun Jaitley Cricket Stadium, New Delhi
- Series host: Afghanistan
The series follows Afghanistan's multi-format tour of India earlier in 2026. India won the one-off Test and the three-match ODI series 3-0.
The upcoming T20I series gives Afghanistan an opportunity to challenge India in the shortest format after a difficult multi-format tour.
The series is also important preparation for both sides ahead of the 2026 Asian Games in Japan. India's squad contains several players who are also part of the country's Asian Games plans, while Afghanistan have also selected a number of players for the tournament.
India Tour of Afghanistan 2026 Schedule
The three T20Is will be played at the Arun Jaitley Cricket Stadium in New Delhi between September 13 and September 17.
| Match | Date | Venue | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st T20I | September 13, 2026 | Arun Jaitley Cricket Stadium, New Delhi | 7:00 PM |
| 2nd T20I | September 15, 2026 | Arun Jaitley Cricket Stadium, New Delhi | 7:00 PM |
| 3rd T20I | September 17, 2026 | Arun Jaitley Cricket Stadium, New Delhi | 7:00 PM |
Criclines will update this page with match results and individual match prediction links as the series progresses.
Afghanistan vs India 2026 Squads
Both teams have selected strong T20I groups for the three-match series.
India have a deep squad containing explosive batting options, experienced bowlers and several players capable of contributing in multiple disciplines.
Afghanistan have selected an experienced T20 group built around their world-class spin attack and established performers.
Afghanistan
Afghanistan's key players include:
- Ibrahim Zadran
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz
- Rashid Khan
- Mohammad Nabi
- Mujeeb Ur Rahman
- Fazalhaq Farooqi
- Naveen-ul-Haq
- Noor Ahmad
- Nangyal Kharoti
- Azmatullah Omarzai
- Gulbadin Naib
- Sediqullah Atal
- Darwish Rasooli
Ibrahim Zadran will captain Afghanistan in his first assignment as the team's full-time T20I skipper.
The return of Naveen-ul-Haq is also significant after he recovered from a stress fracture in his right shoulder.
India
India's squad includes:
- Shreyas Iyer
- Tilak Varma
- Abhishek Sharma
- Vaibhav Sooryavanshi
- Sanju Samson
- Ishan Kishan
- Shivam Dube
- Axar Patel
- Washington Sundar
- Varun Chakaravarthy
- Ravi Bishnoi
- Jasprit Bumrah
- Arshdeep Singh
- Yash Thakur
India's squad is led by Shreyas Iyer, with Tilak Varma serving as vice-captain.
Jasprit Bumrah has been cleared for selection after initially being included subject to fitness clearance. Yash Thakur replaced Harshit Rana after Rana suffered a rectus femoris strain during a match simulation.
India Tour of Afghanistan 2026 Venue
Arun Jaitley Cricket Stadium, New Delhi
All three T20Is will be played at the Arun Jaitley Cricket Stadium in New Delhi.
The venue will therefore host the entire series, giving both teams the opportunity to become familiar with the conditions as the tournament progresses.
Delhi conditions could make the contest between India's power hitters and Afghanistan's spin attack particularly important.
Afghanistan's collection of quality spinners gives them an obvious tactical weapon, while India have several players capable of attacking spin through the middle overs.
Criclines will provide updated pitch and conditions analysis before each match.
India Tour of Afghanistan 2026 Match Predictions
Criclines will publish individual predictions for every T20I in the series.
Each India vs Afghanistan prediction will assess:
- Match winner
- Top batter
- Top bowler
- Player performance markets
- Pitch conditions
- Weather
- Head-to-head record
- Recent form
- Team news
- Injuries
- Probable playing XI
- Confirmed playing XI
- Key player matchups
- Best betting opportunities
Predictions will be reviewed again after the teams announce their final playing XIs.
Afghanistan vs India 2026 Series Prediction
India enter the three-match T20I series as favourites.
India's greater batting depth, strong bowling resources and recent success against Afghanistan give them the advantage.
Afghanistan, however, possess one of the strongest spin attacks in international T20 cricket. Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad, Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Nangyal Kharoti give Ibrahim Zadran several options through the middle overs.
India also have substantial spin resources of their own, with Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Varun Chakaravarthy and Ravi Bishnoi giving Shreyas Iyer several tactical options.
The return of Jasprit Bumrah is another major boost for India. His ability to take wickets with the new ball and control the death overs could prove decisive in close matches.
Criclines Series Prediction
India to win the T20I series 2-1.
India's greater depth makes them the logical favourites, but Afghanistan's spin-heavy bowling attack gives them a realistic chance of causing problems if the Delhi surface offers assistance.
Afghanistan vs India Key Players
Ibrahim Zadran
Ibrahim Zadran will captain Afghanistan in his first assignment as the team's full-time T20I skipper.
He is one of Afghanistan's most important top-order batters and will be expected to provide stability alongside the more aggressive Rahmanullah Gurbaz.
His leadership will also be an important storyline throughout the series as Afghanistan look to challenge India.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz
Rahmanullah Gurbaz is one of Afghanistan's most dangerous T20 opening batters.
His aggressive approach in the powerplay can put opposition bowlers under immediate pressure.
His ability to score quickly will be particularly important against India's strong pace attack.
Rashid Khan
Rashid Khan remains Afghanistan's premier T20 match-winner.
His leg-spin, variations and ability to take wickets during the middle overs make him one of the most important players in the series.
His battle against India's power hitters could be one of the defining contests of the series.
Shreyas Iyer
Shreyas Iyer will captain India in the series and takes responsibility for leading a strong T20 squad.
His ability to anchor the innings while also accelerating against spin makes him an important part of India's middle order.
Abhishek Sharma
Abhishek Sharma is one of India's most explosive T20 batters and provides an aggressive option at the top of the order.
His ability to attack during the powerplay could be particularly valuable against Afghanistan's spin-heavy bowling attack.
Jasprit Bumrah
Jasprit Bumrah's return is one of the biggest boosts for India.
His ability to take wickets with the new ball and control the death overs gives India a major advantage in close T20 matches.
He has also been cleared for selection after initially being named subject to fitness.
Afghanistan vs India Team Analysis
Afghanistan
Afghanistan possess a highly experienced T20 core.
Rashid Khan remains their biggest bowling threat, while Noor Ahmad, Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Nangyal Kharoti provide further spin variety.
The batting lineup will be led by Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmanullah Gurbaz, with Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli and Azmatullah Omarzai providing additional options.
Experienced all-rounders Mohammad Nabi and Gulbadin Naib add depth to the middle order.
The return of Naveen-ul-Haq strengthens the pace attack and gives Afghanistan another experienced option alongside Fazalhaq Farooqi.
India
India possess considerable depth across both batting and bowling.
Abhishek Sharma and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi provide explosive options at the top of the order, while Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan provide wicketkeeping and additional batting depth.
The middle order contains players such as Shreyas Iyer, Tilak Varma and Shivam Dube.
India also have several spin options. Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Varun Chakaravarthy and Ravi Bishnoi give the captain different ways to attack Afghanistan's batters during the middle overs.
The return of Jasprit Bumrah further strengthens an already strong bowling group.
Best Betting Tips for India Tour of Afghanistan 2026
The three-match T20I series provides several betting opportunities beyond simply choosing the match winner.
Markets to consider include:
- T20I match winner
- Series winner
- Top run scorer
- Top wicket taker
- Player performance
- Individual innings runs
- Total team runs
- Highest individual score
- Powerplay runs
- Total wickets
The battle between India's batting depth and Afghanistan's spin attack could make player-performance and individual runs markets particularly interesting.
India's bowling options could also provide opportunities in wicket markets, especially if Afghanistan's aggressive batters struggle against the new ball.
Player availability should always be checked before placing a bet, particularly where fitness concerns or late team changes could affect the final playing XI.
How Criclines Produces India vs Afghanistan Predictions
Criclines combines statistical research with match-specific analysis before publishing each prediction.
Our analysis considers:
- Recent T20I form
- Home and away records
- Venue history
- Pitch characteristics
- Weather conditions
- Batting matchups
- Bowling matchups
- Player form
- Injuries
- Team selection
- Player availability
- Head-to-head records
- Confirmed playing XIs
The Delhi venue will receive particular attention because the conditions could influence the effectiveness of both teams' spin attacks.
Afghanistan's selection of several specialist spinners and India's own collection of quality spin options could make middle-overs matchups especially important.
Why the India vs Afghanistan Series Matters
The India Tour of Afghanistan is an important opportunity for both teams to prepare for future international competition.
Afghanistan will be looking to test themselves against one of the strongest teams in T20 cricket after a difficult multi-format tour of India earlier in 2026.
India, meanwhile, have selected a strong T20I squad featuring several emerging players alongside established international performers.
The series also provides valuable preparation for the 2026 Asian Games in Japan, with both teams selecting players who are part of their respective tournament plans.
The three matches should therefore provide useful competitive experience while giving both sides an opportunity to assess their T20 combinations.
India Tour of Afghanistan 2026 Latest Updates
Criclines will keep this page updated throughout the series with the latest:
- Match predictions
- Betting tips
- Squad news
- Injury updates
- Player availability
- Confirmed playing XIs
- Pitch reports
- Weather conditions
- Match results
- Series standings
- Team news
Check this page before every T20I for the latest Afghanistan vs India analysis.
India Tour of Afghanistan Betting Tips – Updated Throughout the Series
Criclines will provide free India vs Afghanistan predictions throughout the 2026 T20I series.
Our coverage will include:
- Match winner predictions
- Player betting tips
- Top batter predictions
- Top bowler predictions
- Pitch analysis
- Team news
- Playing XI updates
- Injury news
- Weather analysis
- Live betting insights
The best betting opportunities can change considerably once the final XIs and pitch conditions are confirmed, so check the latest match prediction before every T20I.
Only bet where permitted by local regulations and never wager more than you can afford to lose.
India Tour of Afghanistan 2026 FAQs
