Industry Odisha Bureau, Sep 13: India faces Afghanistan in the first T20I in New Delhi. Here is when the match starts, how to watch it, and both squads.
India take on Afghanistan in the first T20I on Sunday, September 13. The match will be played at Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi. The toss is scheduled for 7:00 pm IST. Sony Sports Network will broadcast the match on television in India. FanCode will provide live streaming through its app and website.
IND vs AFG Live Streaming and Telecast
Viewers in India can watch the live telecast on Sony Sports Network. Those wanting an online option can stream via FanCode. The livestream will run on both the FanCode app and website. Together, these outlets cover the supplied broadcast options for the match.
Bumrah Returns Before First T20I
Jasprit Bumrah returned to training at Arun Jaitley Stadium on Friday. Rain initially delayed India’s practice session ahead of the opener. Once training resumed, Bumrah bowled with good intensity. He also had an engaging spell against young batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. His return adds a fresh bowling option for India’s attack.
India Face Top-Order Selection Question
India have both Bumrah and Varun Chakaravarthy back in their squad. However, the top order still presents a selection question. India’s batting options include Abhishek Sharma and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan offer wicketkeeping-batting choices further down. Tilak Varma is also part of that batting pool. No confirmed opening combination has been settled yet.
Afghanistan Bring Indian Experience
Afghanistan arrive with considerable familiarity with Indian conditions. Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi and Rahmanullah Gurbaz have all played IPL cricket. That experience gives them useful exposure ahead of this series. Afghanistan also beat England in Delhi during the 2023 World Cup. Ibrahim Zadran captains the side, with Nabi and Noor Ahmad expected to feature prominently.
Historic India-Afghanistan Series Context
This series carries added significance for Afghan cricket. Afghanistan will officially host India in a bilateral series for the first time. India previously hosted several Afghanistan home matches themselves. Those included Afghanistan’s first-ever Test against India, played in Bengaluru.
IND vs AFG Squads
India: Shreyas Iyer (C), Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Sanju Samson (WK), Ishan Kishan (WK), Tilak Varma (VC), Shivam Dube, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Varun Chakaravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh and Yash Thakur.
Afghanistan: Ibrahim Zadran (C), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Noor Rahman (WK), Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Azmatullah Omarzai, Gulbadin Naib, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Nangyal Kharoti, Noor Ahmad, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fazal Haq Farooqi, Abdullah Ahmadzai and Naveen-u.
India head into the opener with key bowlers restored to the squad. Afghanistan bring a settled side with strong Indian experience. Shreyas Iyer and Ibrahim Zadran will lead their teams in New Delhi.
