India Dominate Afghanistan in 2026 T20I Series
Published · Updated
Cited: Cricinfo, Yahoo Sports, Al Jazeera
TL;DR
India have dominated the three-match T20I series against Afghanistan, winning the first two games by identical seven-wicket margins at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi. The series was clinched in the second match on September 15, 2026, thanks to a blistering 22-ball 57 from Sanju Samson. The third and final T20I, played on September 17, sees Afghanistan winning the toss and opting to bowl, as India look to experiment with their lineup ahead of the Asian Games.
Why now
India have dominated the three-match T20I series against Afghanistan, winning the first two games by identical seven-wicket margins at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi. The series was clinched in the second match on September 15, 2026, thanks to a blistering 22-ball 57 from Sanju Samson. The third and final T20I, played on September 17, sees Afghanistan winning the toss and opting to bowl, as India look to experiment with their lineup ahead of the Asian Games.
Agree / conflict
India won the first two T20Is by seven wickets each, sealing the series with a match to spare. Sanju Samson scored a 22-ball 57 (4 sixes, 7 fours) in the second T20I – his first half-century since the T20 World Cup final. Abhishek Sharma provided a rapid start with 39 off 19 balls (4 sixes) in the second game.
Takeaway
India's powerful batting display shows their depth even without first-choice players. Sanju Samson has likely cemented his spot in the T20 squad ahead of major tournaments. The BCCI may need to address injury management after Varun Chakravarthy's recurring issues.
India won the first T20I (Sep 13) by seven wickets, chasing down Afghanistan's total comfortably. The second T20I (Sep 15) saw Afghanistan bat first and manage only 159-8, with Nitish Kumar Reddy's 3-24 leading the bowling effort. In reply, Sanju Samson (57 off 22) and Abhishek Sharma (39 off 19) put on 88 runs in just 38 balls for the first wicket.
With the Asian Games approaching, India used the series to test their bench strength. Varun Chakravarthy's recurring injury raises concerns about the BCCI's Centre of Excellence. Samson's return to form solidifies his position in the white-ball setup.
FAQ
What was the result of the India vs Afghanistan T20I series in 2026?
India won the three-match series 2-0 (the third match was still in progress at the time of writing), having won the first two T20Is by seven wickets each.
Who was the player of the match in the second T20I?
Sanju Samson was the standout performer with a 22-ball 57, but the official Player of the Match was not declared in the available sources.
Why did Varun Chakravarthy miss the series?
Varun Chakravarthy suffered a side strain during the first T20I and was ruled out of the remaining matches. Ravi Bishnoi replaced him.
Which channel broadcast the India vs Afghanistan T20I series?
In India, matches were telecast on Sony Sports Network and streamed on FanCode Premium. In Afghanistan, they aired on Ariana TV and the My e& App.
Did any debutants feature in the third T20I?
Yes, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi made his home debut for India in the third T20I, replacing the injured Varun Chakravarthy.
Sources
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