Afghanistan likely to host India for 3-match T20I series in Delhi
New Delhi, July 23
Afghanistan are likely to host India in a three-match T20I series in Delhi in September, with the matches expected to be played at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on September 13, 15 and 17, according to ESPNcricinfo.
However, the schedule is yet to be officially confirmed.
The series would mark the first occasion when Afghanistan host India on Indian soil. Afghanistan have regularly played their home matches in India, with Lucknow, Dehradun and Greater Noida serving as venues, but they have never faced India in a home series here, according to the report.
For India, the T20I series is expected to fall between their Test tour of Sri Lanka and the Asian Games in Japan. The second Test against Sri Lanka is scheduled to conclude on August 27, while the Asian Games are set to begin on September 24, a week after the final T20I against Afghanistan.
Afghanistan and India last met in June, when the Afghan side toured India for a one-off Test and three ODIs. India registered a massive innings and 300-run victory in the Test at New Chandigarh before completing a 3-0 ODI series sweep.
India have struggled in recent white-ball cricket despite being the reigning T20 World Cup champions. They lost both T20Is against Ireland in Belfast in late June, followed by a 4-0 T20I series defeat to England, with one match washed out, and a 2-1 ODI series loss. India are currently in Zimbabwe for a three-match series.
Afghanistan, meanwhile, have not played a T20I since the T20 World Cup earlier this year in India, where they won two of their four matches but failed to qualify for the Super Eight stage.
— ANI
Reader Comments
As someone who follows Indian cricket closely, I'm not sure this is the best timing. Our T20 team is in a rebuilding phase after those losses to Ireland and England. We need to focus on consistency rather than scheduling more matches.
Finally some good news for Afghanistan fans! They've been so passionate about cricket despite all the challenges back home. Hope they get proper support in Delhi. And India should take this series seriously - Afghanistan has some quality spinners who can trouble us. 🇮🇳🇦🇫
Respectfully, I think the BCCI should prioritize giving youngsters a chance in this series rather than playing the same seniors. We saw what happened in Ireland - we need fresh talent. Also, Delhi's pitch should be good for strokeplay, hopefully it's not another slow turner.
Nice gesture by BCCI to let Afghanistan host a series here. They've been such a wonderful cricket story - from war-torn country to competing with the best. India should play their A team to give them a real chance of being competitive. Otherwise it'll be another one-sided affair.
Love this decision! Afghanistan players like Rashid Khan, Nabi and Mujeeb are fan favorites in India. It'll be great to see them play in front of Delhi crowds. Just hope the monsoon doesn't wash out the matches like it often does in September.
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