India-Afghanistan T20I cricket series

The BCCI and the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) confirmed a three-match T20I series between India and Afghanistan, scheduled for September 13, 15, and 17, 2026, at the Arun Jaitley Cricket Stadium in Delhi. Due to domestic political instability and security concerns, Afghanistan will serve as the host nation for the series despite the matches being held in India. This arrangement provides a significant financial boost to the ACB through media rights and ticket sales.

The ACB has named a 15-member squad led by Ibrahim Zadran, marking his first full-time T20I captaincy. The roster includes Rashid Khan, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Azmatullah Omarzai, Noor Ahmad, and Mohammad Nabi. Notable returns include pace bowler Naveen-ul-Haq and veteran Gulbadin Naib. ACB CEO Naseeb Khan described the series as a “significant milestone in the progress of Afghan cricket.”

In response, the BCCI announced a full-strength 15-member Indian squad captained by Shreyas Iyer, with Tilak Varma as vice-captain. The selection features the return of Sanju Samson and the inclusion of young talent Vaibhav Suryavanshi, alongside Ishan Kishan as a wicketkeeping option. However, the squad has faced scrutiny following the omission of eight players from the recent Zimbabwe tour, including Rinku Singh.

Former players have criticized the selection. S Badrinath questioned the inclusion of Washington Sundar and Nitish Kumar Reddy, suggesting head coach Gautam Gambhir may be picking “favourites.” Additionally, Kris Srikkanth argued that fielding a full-strength squad was a “desperation move” following recent losses to Ireland and England, suggesting the series should have focused on developing younger talent. Several players, including Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, Washington Sundar, and Nitish Kumar Reddy, are currently awaiting final fitness clearance from the Centre of Excellence.