India set to play three T20Is against Afghanistan in New Delhi as awa…

A fascinating bilateral series may present itself, as the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has approached the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to host three T20 internationals. Never in history has Afghanistan hosted India. However, due to the geopolitical issues in their own country, ACB plans to host those games in India, namely in New Delhi itself.

India vs Afghanistan T20I schedule (tentative)

“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 TOI.

“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.” fishroad-app.com

Afghanistan finally get their ‘home’ series against India

While India and Afghanistan have met multiple times in ICC events and bilateral cricket. While India’s first series after the IPL 2026 is against Afghanistan, the Afghans have never hosted India before. That is set to change in September, if any unusual circumstances don’t arise.

For over a decade, Afghanistan have been forced to play their home matches outside their country because of the political and security situation back home. India has played an important role in supporting Afghan cricket during this period, with Greater Noida and Dehradun previously serving as Afghanistan’s adopted home venues.

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Afghanistan hosted Ireland in Greater Noida in 2017 before shifting a T20I series against Bangladesh to Dehradun in 2018. Later, they moved most of their home assignments to the UAE, primarily Sharjah and Abu Dhabi. Their most recent attempt to host a major Test in India ended in disappointment when the one-off Test against New Zealand in Greater Noida in September 2024 was abandoned without a ball being bowled because of an unplayable outfield following rain.

Now, the Arun Jaitley Stadium appears set to become Afghanistan’s latest temporary home as they prepare to welcome one of world cricket’s biggest attractions. In recent years, India has helped several Full Member and Associate nations by agreeing to bilateral tours that strengthen cricketing ties while also generating valuable revenue for smaller boards.

Asian Games headache force India to split squads

The timing of the Afghanistan series makes it particularly interesting. According to the report, the itinerary has already been shared with India’s selection committee because the BCCI faces a scheduling challenge unlike any other later this year.

The three T20Is against Afghanistan conclude on September 19, exactly when an Indian team will be at the Asian Games. Cricket at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, is scheduled to begin on September 23, with India entering the tournament as defending gold medallists.

India’s packed September-October schedule

The congestion will force the BCCI into selecting two separate squads. One squad, likely featuring younger players and fringe internationals, could represent India at the Asian Games. Meanwhile, the senior side is expected to remain in India for the home season, which begins with the Afghanistan series and continues almost immediately with the West Indies tour.

Afghanistan tour of India schedule

The post India set to play three T20Is against Afghanistan in New Delhi as away team later this year appeared first on Inside Sport India.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced the change of window for the inaugural Women's Champions Trophy, scheduled to take place in Sri Lanka next year. The International Board has confirmed that the tournament, featuring eight teams, will take place in the February window and not in the earlier June-July window. This came among a slew of other decisions confirmed by the ICC during its quarterly meeting in Ahmedabad over the recent weekend.

While the award ceremony after Sunday’s IPL final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad was all about batters, the crucial role played by the bowlers seemed to have dawned upon a few the next morning.

On Monday, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) head coach Andy Flower credited veteran India pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar for his match-winning performances throughout RCB’s title defence at IPL-19. Bhuvneshwar, 36, known for his accuracy and swing, claimed 2-29, accounting for dangerous Gujarat Titans opener Sai Sudarshan and all-rounder Jason Holder to eventually restrict the hosts to 155-8, a target RCB achieved with five wickets in hand.

RCB players celebrate with the IPL-19 trophy in Ahmedabad on Sunday. Pic/IPL

Following his 17-wicket show in RCB’s maiden IPL win last year, the right-arm pacer emerged as the second-highest wicket-taker this season with 28 scalps. The top wicket-taker was GT pacer Kagiso Rabada (29 wickets).

“Bhuvi has been outstanding for us across these last two seasons [2025 and 2026], and arguably, we would not have had our success at all over the last two seasons if he hadn’t been producing performances under pressure repeatedly the way he has done over the last two seasons,” Flower said during the virtual press conference on Monday.

Andy Flower. Pic/IPL

RCB’s bowling attack has been brilliant throughout the tournament. Besides Bhuvneshwar, Rasikh Salam took 19 wickets while Aussie pacer Josh Hazlewood claimed 15 wickets and left-arm spinner Krunal Pandya picked 14.

At the post-match press conference, RCB skipper Rajat Patidar hailed his bowlers. “The planning was clear. Whenever we won the toss, it was easy to chase given the way Bhuvi [Bhuvneshwar Kumar], [Josh] Hazlewood, Rasikh [Salam] and KP [Krunal Mandya] bowled throughout the tournament,” said Patidar.

Years of experience and veteran Virat Kohli’s (42-ball 75, 9x4s, 3x6s) mental strength helped set up RCB’s chase and Patidar lavished praise on his superstar teammate. “If I speak about Virat bhai, I won’t have enough words. He is used to doing great things. He’s a great player. He always goes to our players and keeps talking to them about cricket. I think that’s superb,” said Patidar, adding that even he has personally benefitted a lot from Kohli. “Virat bhai’s presence makes a lot of difference. For me, it’s a great learning as I always watch him whenever I’m around him, both on and off the field. And whenever I have some doubt regarding the leadership role or while taking any decision, I always approach him. One thing I have learnt after watching him is that his energy at the nets is similar to that during a match,” added Patidar.

28
No. of wickets claimed by Bhuvneshwar Kumar in IPL-19 — the second-most, behind GT pacer Kagiso Rabada (29)

Six
No. of three or more wicket hauls for Bhuvneshwar Kumar in IPL-19 — the most by any player

Record-breaking IPL-19 in numbers

27,450
Total number of runs scored

1426
Total number of sixes smashed

2332
Total number of fours hit

15
Total number of individual centuries

65
No. of 200-plus totals

17
No. of 200-plus runs chased