India begin preparations for the Asian Games against hosts Afghanistan in Delhi

Afghanistan are the hosts. India are visitors. However, both the teams will walk into the same dressing room at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi.

Afghanistan will host all three matches of the T20I series in the Indian capital, meaning Shreyas Iyer’s men in blue will be using the ‘away’ dressing room. Afghanistan may make specific demands to the curator, but newly appointed captain Ibrahim Zadran said he has not made such demands.

Afghanistan have hosted teams in India before. However, this is the first time they will host India on Indian soil.

Yes, it takes a while to process. Let’s move on. Shreyas Iyer at the press conference ahead of the 1st T20I. (PTI photo)

The first T20I of the Freedom T20 Cup will be played on Sunday, September 13, with the draw scheduled for 6:30 PM IST. The match will be streamed live on FanCode, telecast by Sony Sports.

India had already arrived in New Delhi on Wednesday and were preparing for their ‘away’ series. Enough of the domestic jargon though. This is a complete Indian team, arguably the strongest they have fielded in T20Is since their T20 World Cup triumph earlier this year.

Apart from Hardik Pandya and Harshit Rana, Iyer has a core group at his disposal, including fit and fired Jasprit Bumrah.

But why go all-in for a three-game series?

As this is India’s last bilateral engagement before heading to Japan for the Asian Games. While several South Asian neighbors have opted for second-tier teams for the multi-sport event starting on September 19 in Aichi and Nagoya prefectures, the BCCI has gone a different route.

The stakes are bigger than just Asian Games medals. The gold medalists will earn a ticket to the 2028 Olympics, giving India a reason to take the competition seriously.

India’s T20I form since the World Cup triumph has been anything but convincing. A 0-2 defeat in Ireland was followed by a series loss in England before India salvaged some pride in Zimbabwe.

So why take the risk in Japan?

The three-match series against Afghanistan, who are no pushovers in T20 cricket, gives India an ideal opportunity to sharpen their game before the continental title chase begins.

And they looked serious in preparation.

Bumrah was hitting the straps and letting it rip. The top batsmen had extended practice sessions while new coach Subhadeep Ghosh was busy on Friday lining up his squads. Despite light evening rain in the city, India managed two full sessions and one non-compulsory session, leaving no doubt about their intent. Jasprit Bumrah will return for the first time since the England ODI series. (Photo by Reuters)

TEAM NEWS: SELECTION HEADACHE

On the eve of the first T20I, the Indian skipper admitted that selection is a luxury but also a problem that he will have to deal with tactfully. The biggest conundrum is at the top of the order, where India have three explosive options: Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and the returning Sanju Samson, who missed the Zimbabwe tour.

The debate became a topic already earlier this year when Sooryavanshi’s debut was postponed during the tour of Ireland and England before Samson was dropped for the tour of Zimbabwe.

So how does India accommodate all three without creating unnecessary noise?

There is no easy answer.

“All three, it’s a luxury above all to have them in the team and they are flawless in their own departments. Well, it will be exciting because they have been performing consistently,” Iyer told reporters on Saturday.

“Whoever gets the opportunity, it’s definitely for the benefit of the team. And for the player sitting out, it’s important that I communicate with him and the coach and give them that confidence. You know what, no matter what, you’re going to get an opportunity when the day comes,” he added. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in practice ahead of 1st T20I. (PTI photo)

The answer may therefore have to wait until the roll. But indications are that Sooryavanshi might get a breather when Samson and Abhishek open up.

Ishan Kishan’s injury scare in training added another layer of intrigue. Iyer played down the concerns on Friday, but if Kishan, who sprained his back, is unable to keep wickets, Samson could also take the gloves.

Then comes the versatile puzzle.

Despite the absence of Hardik and Harshit, India have plenty of options. Washington Sundar is fit again while Nitish Kumar Reddy, Shivam Dube and Axar Patel are available.

Nitish, who bowled at full tilt on Friday, could have a longer run given the balance he provides while firing on all cylinders. Nitish Reddy may return to the Indian squad. (PTI photo)

The spin-bowling all-rounder could come as far as Axar or Washington. Varun Chakravarthy, returning from an injury layoff, is likely to give the nod to Ravi Bishnoi as the specialist spinner.

Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh are expected to lead the pace attack, with Yash Thakur, drafted in as Harshit’s injury, likely to wait for his opportunity.

INDIA XI: Sanju Samson (week), Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer (captain), Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakravarthy.

AFGHANISTAN’S CHANCE TO MAKE HISTORY

Afghanistan, meanwhile, arrived with a full squad and new captain Ibrahim Zadran relishing the prospect of ending one unwanted streak.

Afghanistan have never beaten India in a T20I.

That could change in Delhi.

After extensive training in the city and three matches on the same surface, Afghanistan have familiar conditions on their side. They also welcome back Naveen-ul-Haq and Gulbadin Naib from injury layoffs, adding experience and firepower to an already dangerous team.

Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi, Azmatullah Omarzai and Rahmanullah Gurbaz give Afghanistan plenty of T20 pedigree. They know India will arrive as favourites. They also know this is an opportunity to change history between the two teams.

AFGHANISTAN XI: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran (capt), Gulbadin Naib, Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, Naveen-ul-Haq.

QUOTE CORNER: WHAT THE CAPTAINS SAID

“You see, we will go game by game. We don’t want to think too far ahead (of the Asian Games). We are thinking about the first game. We know Afghanistan are a good team and our preparation has been promising in the last few days as well. The players look in great shape and have the right mindset. So we have to stay in the present and make sure we deliver when the time comes.”

Shreyas Iyer, Indian captain.

“Yes, we played better cricket against India. We had two Super Overs against them in the T20 series in 2024. And we played better cricket against them at the ICC event. As you mentioned, we never beat them. Hopefully we play a good series, win matches and win the series against them. But it’s all about trying to keep 0 per cent, giving 0 cents and giving 0 not difficult.”

Ibrahim Zadran, captain of Afghanistan

– The end

Issued by:

Kingshuk Kusari

Published on:

13 Sep 2026 09:02 IST