For the first time, Afghanistan will host India in an international series. Starting on September 13, the three-match Twenty20 International series will take place at Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium. Afghanistan recently traveled to India for three ODI matches and one Test match, but they lost all of them against the Men in Blue.
India will be aiming to keep their winning rhythm going from the Zimbabwe series and ahead of the Asian Games 2026. Shreyas Iyer and co. have a strong squad for the three T20Is and will have to choose the best players for the games. We take a look at the best possible India XI for the Afghanistan T20Is.
Here is the predicted India’s strongest playing XI for the Afghanistan T20I series:
Abhishek Sharma and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi will most likely open the innings for India. Though Abhishek is struggling a bit for the form in the last T20I series in Zimbabwe, he has done well in the Sher-e-Punjab T20 league and will love to take that rhythm in the Afghanistan series. Sooryavanshi, on the other hand, has been in top form and will be a huge threat to Afghan bowlers.
The middle order of the Indian team will most likely see Ishan Kishan, who will also keep wickets, captain Shreyas Iyer, and vice-captain Tilak Varma. Shreyas Iyer’s presence will break the left-hander’s monotony in Indian XI. Kishan and Iyer have done well, while Tilak should bat at no. 5 or 6, where he plays freely against pacers.
Axar Patel, Shivam Dube, and Harshit Rana (if fit) will likely be the all-rounders down the order. Axar can consolidate if early wickets fall, while Dube and Harshit are known for using their long handles. They can also bowl well, with Rana being more of a bowling all-rounder.
Varun Chakaravarthy will likely be the lone specialist spinner in the XI. He will be coming off an injury layoff and will use this series to get back in rhythm and form for upcoming challenges. Ravi Bishnoi might only play if India goes in with only two pacers.
Jasprit Bumrah (if fit) and Arshdeep Singh will likely be the two pacers who can keep Afghanistan batters in control. They both bowl well with the new ball and can deliver toe-crushing yorkers with the old ball.
Predicted India’s strongest playing XI for Afghanistan T20I series:
Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Ishan Kishan (WK), Shreyas Iyer (C), Tilak Varma (vc), Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Harshit Rana, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy, Arshdeep Singh/ Ravi Bishnoi
