Afghanistan and India are set to meet in a historic three match T20 International series in Delhi in September 2026. The Afghanistan Cricket Board and the Board of Control for Cricket in India have confirmed that the series will be played at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi.
The three matches are scheduled for September 13, 15 and 17. The series will be hosted by Afghanistan, although all three matches will take place on Indian soil. This unusual arrangement is linked to Afghanistan's continued use of overseas venues for its home international fixtures.
The series will provide both teams with an opportunity to prepare for their upcoming international commitments. For Afghanistan, hosting India represents an important occasion as the team continues to develop its international cricket programme.
The arrangement is also significant for Indian cricket because India will technically be the visiting team despite playing the matches in Delhi. This makes the series different from a conventional bilateral contest hosted by the BCCI.
The three fixtures will be played over a five day period. The first T20I is scheduled for September 13, followed by the second match on September 15 and the final match on September 17. All three games will take place at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.
The series comes after the two countries recently met in other formats. Afghanistan toured India earlier in 2026 for a Test and three ODI matches. India dominated that contest, securing a comprehensive result across the multi format series. The upcoming T20Is will provide Afghanistan with another opportunity to compete against India, this time in the shortest format.
The T20 format could offer a different challenge for both teams. Afghanistan has developed a strong reputation in T20 cricket, with several players gaining extensive experience through domestic and international leagues around the world.
India, meanwhile, has considerable depth in the T20 format. The team has a large pool of experienced international players as well as emerging cricketers competing for places in the national squad.
The Delhi series could therefore provide opportunities for players to strengthen their claims for future selection.
Another important aspect of the series is its timing. The matches are scheduled immediately before the Asian Games, meaning the T20Is could serve as useful preparation for India's players ahead of the multi sport event.
The series also demonstrates India's continued support for Afghan cricket. Afghanistan has previously used India as a venue for home matches because of the difficulties associated with hosting international cricket within the country.
According to reports, Afghanistan has frequently relied on neutral venues, including locations in the United Arab Emirates and India, for its home fixtures. The current series allows Afghanistan to retain its status as the designated host while playing at an established international cricket venue in Delhi.
For the Afghanistan Cricket Board, hosting India is an important development. India is one of the strongest and most commercially influential cricket teams in the world, and a bilateral series against India provides Afghanistan with valuable exposure.
The series can also contribute to the growth of Afghan cricket by providing its players with competitive opportunities against a leading international side.
The Arun Jaitley Stadium has previously hosted major international matches and is one of India's established cricket venues. Playing all three matches at the same stadium will also allow both teams to become familiar with the local conditions.
The compact schedule means that the teams will have limited time between matches. The first game on September 13 will be followed by the second on September 15 and the third on September 17.
This could make squad rotation and player management important factors during the series.
For India, the matches could provide an opportunity to assess players ahead of future international assignments. T20 cricket requires a combination of explosive batting, specialist bowling and athletic fielding, and the series could help the team evaluate different combinations.
Afghanistan will also look to use the series to test its players against India's strong T20 squad.
Afghanistan has become increasingly competitive in the shortest format over the past decade. Its players have gained experience in major franchise competitions, while the national team has developed a reputation for producing high quality spin bowling and powerful batting performances.
India's T20 setup has similarly undergone regular changes as the team looks to balance experienced players with emerging talent.
The upcoming series is therefore expected to provide competitive cricket despite the difference in rankings and resources between the two sides.
The unusual hosting arrangement is likely to attract additional attention from cricket fans. Afghanistan will officially be the host, but Indian supporters will have the opportunity to watch the matches in Delhi.
This makes the series a rare example of an international team hosting India within India's own borders.
The arrangement also reflects the broader relationship between the BCCI and Afghanistan Cricket Board. The two boards have maintained close cricketing ties, with India providing support to Afghanistan's cricket development over the years.
BCCI president Mithun Manhas has reiterated India's support for the development of Afghan cricket, while Afghanistan Cricket Board chairman Mirwais Ashraf has highlighted India's suitability as a venue for the series.
The three match series is expected to generate significant interest among cricket supporters in both countries.
The first T20I will be played on September 13, with the second scheduled for September 15 and the third on September 17. The Arun Jaitley Stadium will host all three encounters.
With the matches taking place shortly before the Asian Games, India's team selection will be closely watched. Young players could receive opportunities, while established T20 performers may be considered for important roles.
Afghanistan will also be looking to build confidence against a strong Indian side. A competitive series could provide valuable preparation for the team's future international assignments.
The series is expected to offer a combination of experience and opportunity for both sides. India can use the matches to test its T20 depth, while Afghanistan can gain further exposure against one of the world's leading cricket nations.
The fact that Afghanistan is officially hosting India on Indian soil makes the series particularly unusual. It is also a reflection of the practical arrangements required for Afghanistan to conduct international cricket while continuing to rely on overseas venues.
The confirmed dates give fans a clear schedule for the three matches. The opening T20I will take place on September 13, followed by matches on September 15 and September 17.
As preparations begin, attention will turn to squad announcements, player availability and the final match-day arrangements.
The India Afghanistan T20I series is expected to be an important part of both teams' international calendars. With three matches in Delhi and a unique hosting arrangement, the series is set to create a memorable chapter in the cricketing relationship between the two nations.
For Afghanistan, hosting India represents another step in the development of its international cricket programme. For India, the series offers an opportunity to prepare players and combinations ahead of major upcoming commitments.
The action will begin on September 13 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, with the remaining two matches scheduled for September 15 and September 17.