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Afghanistan are set to face India in a three-match T20I series in New Delhi from September 13 to 17, with all three games scheduled at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. The series will be Afghanistan’s first bilateral T20I assignment against India since January 2024 and presents an exciting opportunity for Ibrahim Zadran’s team to test themselves against one of the strongest sides in international cricket.
Afghanistan have developed into a formidable T20I team over the last few years, particularly because of their world-class spin attack and explosive batting options. Ibrahim Zadran will lead the side in his first assignment as Afghanistan’s full-time T20I captain, while the return of Naveen-ul-Haq adds further variety to their bowling attack.
India, meanwhile, have named a strong squad led by Shreyas Iyer, with players such as Sanju Samson, Tilak Varma, Abhishek Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah included. However, Bumrah’s availability remains subject to fitness clearance.
Amid the star-studded squads, three Afghanistan cricketers could prove particularly difficult for India to contain:
Rahmanullah Gurbaz remains one of Afghanistan’s most dangerous T20 batters and will be central to their hopes of putting India under pressure.
The right-handed wicketkeeper-batter is at his best when he can attack during the powerplay. Gurbaz possesses an extensive range of shots and can take on both pace and spin, making him capable of changing the complexion of an innings within a few overs.
His role becomes even more important because Afghanistan have several aggressive players in the middle order. If Gurbaz provides a fast start alongside captain Ibrahim Zadran, Afghanistan can build the kind of platform from which players such as Azmatullah Omarzai, Gulbadin Naib and Mohammad Nabi can launch an assault later in the innings.
India’s bowlers will therefore need to be disciplined from the first delivery. Any width offered to Gurbaz could disappear towards the boundary, while his ability to attack spinners during the powerplay could prevent India from settling into their plans.
The Arun Jaitley Stadium could also suit his aggressive approach. If the ball comes onto the bat nicely, Gurbaz has the power to clear the relatively short boundaries and put India’s bowling attack under immediate pressure.
No discussion about Afghanistan’s threat to India can be complete without Rashid Khan.
The legendary leg-spinner remains one of the biggest match-winners in T20 cricket and could have a decisive role against India’s batting-heavy lineup. Afghanistan’s squad also includes Noor Ahmad and Nangyal Kharoti, but Rashid’s experience and ability to deliver under pressure make him their premier bowling weapon.
Rashid’s biggest strength is his ability to attack without necessarily conceding many runs. His rapid pace through the air makes it difficult for batters to use their feet, while his googly can deceive even established players.
India have several batters who are comfortable against spin, including Tilak Varma, Abhishek Sharma and Shivam Dube. However, Rashid presents a completely different challenge because he can alter his pace, trajectory and length without compromising his accuracy.
His battle against India’s middle order could therefore be one of the defining storylines of the series. If Rashid picks up wickets during the middle overs, Afghanistan could put India in an unfamiliar position and force their lower order to take greater risks.
Moreover, Rashid’s leadership experience could be invaluable to Ibrahim Zadran. With Zadran taking charge of Afghanistan’s T20I side for the first time, having a senior match-winner like Rashid to turn to during difficult moments will be a major advantage.
The third player on the list is Afghanistan’s new T20I captain, Ibrahim Zadran.
Zadran will have the dual responsibility of leading the team and anchoring their batting lineup. The right-hander has already shown that he possesses the temperament required to play long, impactful innings in international cricket.
His standout performance at the 2026 T20 World Cup came against Canada, when he scored an impressive 95 off 56 balls. The innings showcased his ability to combine classical strokeplay with the aggression required in the shortest format.
That balance could be extremely valuable against India. While Gurbaz is likely to provide the aggression at the top, Zadran can play the stabilising role if Afghanistan lose an early wicket. At the same time, he possesses enough attacking ability to accelerate once he gets set.
His captaincy debut will add another layer of intrigue. Zadran will need to make quick decisions against a deep Indian batting lineup while also ensuring that his own batting remains unaffected by the additional responsibility.
If he can score heavily while leading from the front, Afghanistan could put India under considerable pressure across the series.
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