Afghanistan will reportedly host India in a T20I series in Delhi, which will be the first time in international cricket. After using Greater Noida and Lucknow as their home venues in India, Afghanistan will now make Delhi their base for a three-match T20I series against India.
According to a report by TOI, an official announcement regarding the series is expected soon. The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) had requested a return tour from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), especially after India agreed to host Afghanistan for a one-off Test and a three-match ODI series.
Why Afghanistan picking Delhi as their home venue for T20I series vs India?
Since Afghanistan cannot host India on its own soil, and with the ongoing tensions in the Middle East caused by the US-Iran-Israel conflict, Delhi has been chosen as the venue for the T20I series.
“BCCI and ACB share a good relationship. BCCI has been helping other boards like Ireland, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe by sending Indian teams to play a series there to boost the finances of those board. An understanding has been reached between BCCI and ACB in this regard. An official announcement will be made after a few modalities are completed,” a BCCI source told the English daily.
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“The BCCI mediated an understanding between ACB the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) for availability to be the home base for Afghanistan for the series.
“The DDCA is also scheduling its Delhi Premier League T20 accordingly,” the source added.
When will India vs Afghanistan T20I series take place?
The three-match T20I series is scheduled to begin on September 13, with the remaining games set to be played on September 16 and September 19. The series could also serve as valuable preparation for the 2026 Asian Games in Japan.
India’s selection committee, headed by Ajit Agarkar, has already been informed about the T20I series.
“The itinerary has been shared with India’s national selection committee since they have to pick a 15-member T20 team for the Asian Games in late Sept. The cricket event at Asian Games is due to start on Sept 23. The selectors will pick the team accordingly,” the BCCI source said.
Afghanistan to play ODIs and one-off Test vs India
Before the T20I series, Afghanistan will tour India for a one-off Test in Mullanpur starting on June 6. The visitors will then play a three-match ODI series, which is scheduled to take place between June 13 and June 20.