India and Afghanistan to begin T20I series in Delhi

India and Afghanistan are set to begin a three-match T20I series in Delhi, with Afghanistan serving as the official host. The first match is scheduled for Sunday, September 13, 2026, at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. The series presents an unusual dynamic, as Afghanistan will use the home dressing room while India occupies the visitors' dressing room, a reversal of standard protocols due to Afghanistan's hosting status. This marks the first time Afghanistan will host India on Indian soil, having previously hosted home series in other Indian cities like Dehradun and Lucknow. Shreyas Iyer will captain the Indian team for the series. The squad includes returning players such as Sanju Samson and Jasprit Bumrah, who have cleared their fitness tests. Nitish Kumar Reddy is also available for selection. However, there is uncertainty surrounding the availability of wicketkeeper Ishan Kishan, who reportedly suffered a back injury during a practice session on Friday, September 12. The exact nature and severity of the injury have not been officially confirmed. Afghanistan will be led by Ibrahim Zadran, with Rahmanullah Gurbaz providing attacking intent at the top of the order.