Afghanistan Set to Host India for Historic Delhi T20I Series

By Kartik Sharma (KS) | Data Analyst & Reporter

3 matches will make history in September as Afghanistan are set to become the first international side to host India on Indian soil. The three-match T20I series is expected to be staged at Delhi's Arun Jaitley Stadium on 13, 15 and 17 September, although the fixtures are yet to receive official confirmation.

The arrangement reflects Afghanistan Cricket Board's long-standing use of India as its home base for international cricket. While Afghanistan have previously hosted teams in Greater Noida, Dehradun and Lucknow, they have never hosted India in India until now.

Afghanistan have been unable to host international cricket regularly at home because of infrastructure and security challenges, making India their preferred neutral venue for several years. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has supported Afghanistan Cricket Board by providing venues for bilateral fixtures and training facilities.

This latest series extends that partnership in a unique way. Although the matches will be played in Delhi, Afghanistan will officially be the home side, creating an unprecedented scenario in international cricket.

The series also fits neatly into India's packed international calendar. India's second Test against Sri Lanka is scheduled to conclude on 27 August, leaving just over two weeks before the opening T20I. The Asian Games begin on 24 September in Japan, one week after the scheduled final match of the series.

A quick comparison highlights how unusual this fixture is:

The two teams met earlier this year when Afghanistan toured India for a one-off Test and a three-match ODI series. India dominated those contests, winning the Test by an innings and 300 runs in New Chandigarh before completing a 3-0 ODI series sweep.

Historically, India have also held the upper hand in T20 internationals against Afghanistan. Afghanistan are yet to register a victory over India in the format, making September's series another opportunity to challenge that record.

India's immediate form, however, tells a different story.

Despite entering 2026 as the reigning ICC Men's T20 World Cup champions, India have endured a difficult white-ball run. They lost both T20Is in Ireland before suffering a 4-0 T20I series defeat in England after one match was abandoned. England also claimed the subsequent ODI series 2-1. India are currently touring Zimbabwe for another three-match T20I assignment before turning attention towards Sri Lanka and Afghanistan.

Afghanistan, meanwhile, have not played a T20 international since the ICC Men's T20 World Cup in India earlier this year. They won two of their four group-stage matches but narrowly missed qualification for the Super Eight stage.

The schedule still requires official confirmation from the respective cricket boards, but preparations are expected to gather pace once India's ongoing commitments conclude.

Selection discussions will also intensify. India could use the series to regain white-ball momentum before the Asian Games, while Afghanistan have an opportunity to resume T20 cricket against one of the world's strongest sides after several months away from the format.

Beyond the cricket, the series represents another milestone in the close relationship between the BCCI and Afghanistan Cricket Board. Hosting India as the designated home team in Delhi is a landmark moment that would have seemed improbable a decade ago.

When the fixtures are officially announced, attention will quickly shift from the venue to the cricket itself. The biggest number to watch may not be the dates—but whether Afghanistan can finally record their first-ever T20I victory over India.