Afghanistan are set to host India in a three-match T20I series in Delhi this September, marking the first time in international cricket that a team will officially host India on Indian soil.
While the series may appear unusual at first glance, it is the result of Afghanistan's long-standing inability to stage international matches at home due to security and infrastructure challenges.
Why are Afghanistan hosting India in India?
Afghanistan have been forced to play their home international matches at neutral venues for more than a decade because international teams do not regularly tour the country owing to security concerns.
India has served as Afghanistan's primary adopted home since 2015 after the BCCI agreed to provide venues and logistical support.
Over the years, Afghanistan have hosted
international matches in:
- Greater Noida
- Dehradun
- Lucknow
However, they have never previously hosted India despite using Indian venues for bilateral cricket.
The upcoming series will therefore become the first instance of a visiting nation officially hosting India on Indian soil.
Where will the Afghanistan vs India series be played?
The three T20Is are expected to be played at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi.
The proposed schedule is:
- September 13 - First T20I
- September 15 - Second T20I
- September 17 - Third T20I
The fixtures are yet to receive official confirmation.
Why is the series significant?
Although the matches will take place in Delhi, Afghanistan will be the designated home side.
That means Afghanistan will handle hosting responsibilities, including match operations and commercial rights, despite the games being played in India.
It is a unique arrangement in international cricket and reflects the close cricketing relationship between the BCCI and the Afghanistan Cricket Board.
Why can't Afghanistan play at home?
Afghanistan have made repeated efforts to bring international cricket back to the country, but most Full Member nations have remained reluctant to tour because of security concerns.
As a result, Afghanistan have relied on overseas venues for home fixtures across all formats.
India has remained one of the Afghanistan Cricket Board's strongest supporters, regularly providing venues and training facilities.
When does Afghanistan vs India fit into India's schedule?
The T20I series falls between two major assignments for India.
Shreyas Iyer's side are scheduled to complete their Test tour of Sri Lanka in late August before turning their attention to the Afghanistan series.
The Asian Games begin on September 24, one week after the final T20I, making the three-match series India's final assignment before the continental event.
How have India and Afghanistan fared recently?
The two teams last met earlier this year when Afghanistan officially hosted India for a one-off Test and a three-match ODI series.
India dominated both contests, winning the Test by an innings and 300 runs before completing a 3-0 sweep in the ODI series.
India, however, head into the upcoming T20Is searching for improved form. Despite being the reigning T20 World Cup champions, they have endured a difficult run in the format, suffering series defeats to Ireland and England before beginning a three-match series against Zimbabwe.
Afghanistan, meanwhile, have not played a T20I since the 2026 T20 World Cup, where they won two of their four group-stage matches but failed to progress to the Super Eights.
Afghanistan vs India T20I head-to-head
India have never lost to Afghanistan in men's T20 internationals.
The teams have produced several memorable contests in recent years, including the dramatic third T20I in Bengaluru in January 2024, which featured two Super Overs before India emerged victorious.
The September series will provide Afghanistan another opportunity to register their first-ever T20I win over India, albeit while playing as the home team in Delhi.
