India will play Afghanistan in a three-T20I series to resume white-ball cricket after defeating Sri Lanka in the two-match Test series. A full-strength Indian team will be led by Shreyas Iyer upon his comeback, albeit a number of players are still awaiting fitness. Iyer, who had a rough beginning to his leadership but recovered in Zimbabwe, will now face a new task with multiple new lineups.
On September 1, 2026, the BCCI revealed India’s 15-man Twenty20 International team for the Afghanistan series. The three matches will start on September 13 at Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium. As India gets ready for the home series, Shreyas Iyer remains captain while Tilak Varma is named vice-captain, ensuring leadership continuity. Afghanistan will host India in a three-match series for the first time.
India’s top order is expected to consist of Ishan Kishan, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, and Abhishek Sharma. After a lacklustre year in Twenty20 Internationals, Abhishek will be under pressure, especially with Sanju Samson joining the team. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi will want to improve upon his outstanding performance in Zimbabwe, where he made an impression during the July series.
Axar Patel and Shivam Dube are anticipated to support the middle order, with vice-skipper Tilak Varma following Iyer at No. 5. Additionally, the pair will provide vital overs with the ball. Nitish Kumar Reddy’s finishing abilities will undoubtedly be used if appropriate. Additionally, his addition will end the left-handed batting lineup. This also applies to Washington Sundar’s level of fitness. Sundar’s off-spin can produce vital overs.
Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, and Harshit Rana make up the bowling unit. After recently participating in the T20 World Cup final against New Zealand in March, Bumrah is back in T20I cricket. Before the series, a number of players, including Bumrah, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Harshit Rana, are still awaiting medical clearance.
India’s Predicted XI For Afghanistan T20Is: Ishan Kishan (WK), Shreyas Iyer (C), Shivam Dube, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Harshit Rana, Varun Chakaravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Abhishek Sharma, and Jasprit Bumrah.
