NEW DELHI, India — The dates of next month’s three-match T20I series between Afghanistan and India could be changed, with the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) and Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) discussing a possible revision to the existing schedule. No formal decision has been made yet.
- The Afghanistan-India T20I series is currently scheduled for September 13, 15 and 17.
- The ACB has proposed bringing the matches forward to September 11, 13 and 14.
- The proposed schedule would include a match on September 14, the day of Ganesh Chaturthi.
- All three matches are scheduled to be played at Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi.
Afghanistan-India T20I schedule under discussion
The ACB has approached the BCCI with a request to advance the Afghanistan-India T20I schedule by several days. The proposal is understood to have been made while considering cultural events taking place in India during the original dates.
The current itinerary has the three matches on September 13, 15 and 17. Under the proposed arrangement, the games would instead be played on September 11, 13 and 14.
Ganesh Chaturthi match part of proposed dates
One of the proposed matches would fall on September 14, which is Ganesh Chaturthi. According to the information available, the ACB believes the revised dates could help improve television viewership and attendance at the venue.
The board is also understood to have cited a request from stakeholders in putting forward the proposal. However, there has been no official confirmation that the schedule will be changed.
Arun Jaitley Stadium set to host all three matches
The Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi is scheduled to stage all three T20Is. The series is unusual because Afghanistan will effectively host India in a bilateral series for the first time, although the matches will take place in India.
The proposed change is being considered against India’s international calendar. With a Bangladesh series seemingly ruled out, India has a window between the end of its Test series in Sri Lanka on August 27 and the start of the Asian Games on September 24.
BCCI and ACB yet to confirm revised schedule
The BCCI and ACB have been approached regarding the proposed change. The Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA), which will host the matches, has said it has no information about a revised plan.
That leaves the existing September 13, 15 and 17 schedule as the announced itinerary until the two boards reach a formal decision.
Series completes Afghanistan-India format engagements
The upcoming T20I series will complete the two teams’ engagements across all three international formats. India hosted Afghanistan for a Test and a three-match ODI series in June.
While announcing the original T20I dates, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said the teams would have competed against each other across Test, ODI and T20I cricket once the series was completed.
“We recently hosted Afghanistan for a Test and ODI series in June, and this T20I series will mean the two teams have now competed against each other across all three formats,” BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia had said.
What happens next with the Afghanistan-India T20I schedule
The ACB and BCCI will need to agree on any alteration before the proposed dates can replace the existing itinerary. Until then, the three T20Is remain scheduled for September 13, 15 and 17 in New Delhi.
Frequently Asked Questions
When are the Afghanistan vs India T20Is currently scheduled?
The three matches are currently scheduled for September 13, 15 and 17, with all three games set to be played at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi.
Why could the Afghanistan vs India T20I dates change?
The ACB has requested an earlier schedule, proposing matches on September 11, 13 and 14 while taking cultural events in India around the original dates into account. The proposed plan is yet to be approved.
Afghanistan-India T20I schedule awaits final decision
The proposed change remains under discussion, with the ACB seeking an earlier window and the BCCI yet to formally approve a revised itinerary. For now, the original September dates remain in place as the boards consider the request.
Praveen Yadav is the Founder and Content Creator of The Nation Bulletin, an independent digital news platform focused on delivering timely, reliable and meaningful news from India and around the world.
