Away in Delhi, India begin Asian Games preparations against hosts Afghanistan

India begin their Asian Games preparations against Afghanistan in the first T20I in New Delhi. Shreyas Iyer's side face selection headaches, while Afghanistan look to beat India for the first time in T20Is.India play 3-match T20I series vs Afghanistan in New Delhi. (PTI Photo)Afghanistan are the hosts. India are the visitors. Both teams, however, will walk into the same dressing-room corridor at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi.Afghanistan will host all three matches of the T20I series in the Indian capital, meaning Shreyas Iyer’s Men in Blue will be using the ‘away’ dressing room. Afghanistan can make specific requests to the curator, but newly appointed captain Ibrahim Zadran said he has made no such demands.Afghanistan have hosted teams in India before. This, though, is the first time they will be hosting India on Indian soil.Yes, it takes a moment to process. Let’s move on. Shreyas Iyer in the press conference ahead of 1st T20I. (PTI Photo) The first T20I of the Freedom T20 Cup will be played on Sunday, September 13, with the toss scheduled for 6:30 pm IST. The match will be streamed live on FanCode, with Sony Sports providing television coverage.India arrived in New Delhi as early as Wednesday, preparing for their ‘away’ series. Enough with the home-away jargon, though. This is a full-strength India squad, arguably the strongest they have fielded in T20Is since their T20 World Cup triumph earlier this year. Barring Hardik Pandya and Harshit Rana, Iyer has the core group at his disposal, including a fit and firing Jasprit Bumrah.But why go all-in for a three-match series?Because this is India’s final bilateral engagement before they head to the Asian Games in Japan. While several South Asian neighbours have opted for second-string squads for the multi-sport event beginning September 19 in Aichi Prefecture and Nagoya, the BCCI has gone the other way.The stakes are bigger than just an Asian Games medal. The gold medallists will earn a ticket to the 2028 Olympics, giving India every reason to take the competition seriously.India’s T20I form since the World Cup triumph has been anything but convincing. A 0-2 defeat in Ireland was followed by a series loss in England before India salvaged some pride in Zimbabwe.So, why take chances in Japan?A three-match series against Afghanistan, who are no pushovers in T20 cricket, gives India an ideal opportunity to sharpen their game before the continental title hunt begins.And they have looked serious in preparation.Bumrah has been hitting the straps and letting it rip. The top-order batters have had extended workouts, while new fielding coach Subhadeep Ghosh was busy marshalling his troops on Friday. Despite light evening rain in the city, India have managed two full training sessions and an optional session, leaving little doubt about their intent. Jasprit Bumrah will return for the first time since England ODI series. (Reuters Photo) TEAMS NEWS: THE SELECTION HEADACHEOn the eve of the first T20I, the India captain admitted that selection is a luxury, but also a problem he will have to handle tactfully. The biggest conundrum is at the top of the order, where India have three explosive options: Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and the returning Sanju Samson, who missed the Zimbabwe tour.The debate had already become a talking point earlier this year when Sooryavanshi’s debut was delayed during the Ireland and England tours before Samson was dropped for the tour of Zimbabwe.Now, how do India accommodate all three without creating unnecessary noise?There is no easy answer.“All three of them, having them in the team is a luxury first of all, and they are flawless in their own departments. Well, it is going to be a tight call because they have been performing consistently,” Iyer told reporters on Saturday.“Whoever gets the opportunity, it's definitely for the team's benefit. And the player sitting outside, it's important that I have an interaction with him, along with the coach, and give them that confidence. That, you know what, no matter what, you will get your opportunity when the day comes,” he added. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in training ahead of 1st T20I. (PTI Photo) The answer, therefore, may have to wait until the toss. But the indications are that Sooryavanshi could be given a breather, with Samson and Abhishek opening.Ishan Kishan’s injury scare in training has added another layer of intrigue. Iyer played down the concern on Friday, but if Kishan, who sprained his back, is not fit to keep wickets, Samson could also take the gloves.Then comes the all-rounders’ puzzle.Despite the absence of Hardik and Harshit, India have plenty of options. Washington Sundar is fit again, while Nitish Kumar Reddy, Shivam Dube and Axar Patel are all available.Nitish, who bowled at full tilt on Friday, could get an extended run given the balance he provides when firing on all cylinders. Nitish Reddy might return to the Indian line-up. (PTI Photo) The spin-bowling all-rounder spot could come down to Axar or Washington. Varun Chakravarthy, returning from an injury layoff, is likely to get the nod over Ravi Bishnoi as the specialist spinner.Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh are expected to lead the pace attack, with Yash Thakur, drafted in as Harshit’s injury replacement, likely to wait for his opportunity.INDIA XI: Sanju Samson (wk), Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer (captain), Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakravarthy.AFGHANISTAN’S CHANCE TO MAKE HISTORYAfghanistan, meanwhile, have arrived with a full-strength squad and a new captain in Ibrahim Zadran, who is relishing the prospect of ending one unwanted streak.Afghanistan have never beaten India in a T20I.That could change in New Delhi.Having trained extensively in the city and with three matches on the same surface, Afghanistan have the familiarity of conditions on their side. They also welcome back Naveen-ul-Haq and Gulbadin Naib from injury layoffs, adding experience and firepower to an already dangerous squad.Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi, Azmatullah Omarzai and Rahmanullah Gurbaz give Afghanistan plenty of T20 pedigree. They know India will arrive as favourites. They also know this is an opportunity to change the history between the two teams.AFGHANISTAN XI: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran (captain), Gulbadin Naib, Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, Naveen-ul-Haq.QUOTES CORNER: WHAT THE CAPTAINS’ SAID“See, we will go game by game. We don’t want to think too far ahead (about Asian Games). We are thinking about the first game. We know Afghanistan are a good team, and our preparation has also been promising over the last couple of days. The players are looking in great shape and have the right mindset. So, we have to stay in the present and make sure we deliver when the time comes.”Shreyas Iyer, India captain.“Yes, we have played better cricket against India. In 2024, we had two Super Overs against them in the T20 series. And at the ICC event, we have played better cricket against them. As you mentioned, we’ve never beaten them. Hopefully, we’re going to play a good series, win games and win a series against them. But it’s all about executing the plan, giving 100 per cent and trying to keep things easy for ourselves, not complicated.”Ibrahim Zadran, Afghanistan captain- EndsPublished By: Kingshuk KusariPublished On: Sep 13, 2026 09:02 IST