Afghanistan vs India: T20 Series Opener Under Delhi Lights

The white ball returns to centre stage in New Delhi on Sunday night as India and Afghanistan collide in the first T20I at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, a contest loaded with intrigue, power-hitting and spin craft on both sides.

The game is set for a 7:30 pm IST start on September 13, with the toss scheduled for 7:00 pm. Under lights, on a surface that can tease both pacers and spinners, it’s the sort of stage where reputations are sharpened and new ones are born.

Where the action is and how to watch

Arun Jaitley Stadium, usually a cauldron once the stands fill and the floodlights bite, hosts this opener. For those not in the capital, every ball will be available live on the Fancode app and website, with television coverage on the Sony Sports Network.

Afghanistan: spin, steel and a point to prove

Afghanistan arrives with a squad built around familiar fire and guile. Rahmanullah Gurbaz will keep wickets and attack from the top, while captain Ibrahim Zadran anchors the batting group. Sediqullah Atal and Darwish Rasooli add depth to a lineup that rarely dies wondering in the powerplay.

Gulbadin Naib and Mohammad Nabi bring experience and all-round balance, with Azmatullah Omarzai offering pace and late-order hitting. Then comes the heart of Afghanistan’s threat: Rashid Khan leading a spin pack that includes Noor Ahmad, Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Noor ul Rahman. With Naveen-ul-Haq, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Abdullah Ahmadzai and Nangeyalia Kharoti in support, Afghanistan has the tools to squeeze, strike and unsettle.

India: new combinations, familiar expectations

On the other side, India fields a group that blends established names with players eager to stamp themselves on the format.

Shreyas Iyer takes charge as captain, with Ishan Kishan behind the stumps and expected to set the tone at the top. Abhishek Sharma’s strokeplay, Tilak Varma’s range and Shivam Dube’s power give India a flexible middle order, while Axar Patel and Washington Sundar can both control the middle overs and clear the rope.

With the ball, Jasprit Bumrah’s presence instantly sharpens India’s attack. Arshdeep Singh’s left-arm angle, Varun Chakaravarthy’s mystery spin and Ravi Bishnoi’s fizz give Iyer options in every phase. Yash Thakur and Nitish Kumar Reddy add further depth, and Sanju Samson waits as a high-quality batting and keeping alternative.

The contest, then, is clear: India’s pace variety and batting depth against Afghanistan’s fearless top order and world-class spin. Under Delhi’s lights, with a global audience watching, the opening T20I is more than just a series starter — it’s a statement game for both sides.