All focus shifts from IPL 2026 action to international cricket, as India hosts a series of high-stakes fixtures against Afghanistan. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is set to host Afghanistan for a 4-match, 2-format meet from June 6 to 20, 2026.
When Will the Matches Take Place?
The first match will be a one-off Test against Afghanistan in New Chandigarh on June 6, 2026. Next on the schedule will be a 3-game ODI series. Fans of 50-over cricket will get to experience both sides lock horns in one-day internationals at Dharamsala (June 13), Lucknow (June 17), and then in Chennai (June 20).
| Date | Match | Venue | Time (IST) |
| Jun 6, 2026 | One-off Test | Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur, New Chandigarh | 9:30 AM IST |
| Jun 13, 2026 | 1st ODI | Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, Dharamsala | 1:30 PM IST |
| Jun 17, 2026 | 2nd ODI | Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow | 1:30 PM IST |
| Jun 20, 2026 | 3rd ODI | MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai | 1:30 PM IST |
Will Virat Kohli Play Against Afghanistan in 2026 ODIs?
Veteran Team India batter Virat Kohli looks set to represent India versus Afghanistan after clinching his second IPL title on May 31, 2026. Kohli played a vital role in the IPL 2026 final to ensure his team emerged champions for the second time in two seasons.
Some fans believed the veteran may choose to rest before IPL 2027, but he is set to feature against Afghanistan in ODIs barely two weeks later.
Afghanistan in Fine Form Ahead of India Clash
The Afghan contingent pose a real challenge to several top sides with their recent performances. Many of the last games they featured in have ended victorious. Afghanistan has secured wins over high-profile teams like the West Indies in recent matches while forcing others like South Africa into gruelling contests.
| Date/Competition | Match | Venue | Afghanistan Score | Opponent Score | Result |
| ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 – 39th Match, Group D | Afghanistan vs Canada | MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai | 200/4 (20) | 118/8 (20) | Afghanistan won by 82 runs |
| ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 – 28th Match, Group D | Afghanistan vs UAE | Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi | 162/5 (19) | 160/9 (20) | Afghanistan won by 5 wickets |
| ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 – 13th Match, Group D | Afghanistan vs South Africa | Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad | 187 (19.4) | 187/6 (20) | Match tied; South Africa won after second Super Over |
| ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 – 4th Match, Group D | Afghanistan vs New Zealand | MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai | 182/6 (20) | 183/5 (17) | New Zealand won by 5 wickets |
| T20 World Cup Warm-up 2026 – 8th Match | Afghanistan vs West Indies | BCCI Centre of Excellence Ground 1, Bengaluru | 182/6 (20) | 159/7 (20) | Afghanistan won by 23 runs |
| T20 World Cup Warm-up 2026 – 1st Match | Afghanistan vs Scotland | BCCI Centre of Excellence Ground 1, Bengaluru | 184/6 (20) | 123 (19.3) | Afghanistan won by 61 runs |
| Afghanistan vs West Indies in UAE 2026 – 3rd T20I | Afghanistan vs West Indies | Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai | 136/8 (20) | 151/7 (20) | West Indies won by 15 runs |
| Afghanistan vs West Indies in UAE 2026 – 2nd T20I | Afghanistan vs West Indies | Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai | 189/4 (20) | 150 (18.5) | Afghanistan won by 39 runs |
| Afghanistan vs West Indies in UAE 2026 – 1st T20I | Afghanistan vs West Indies | Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai | 181/3 (20) | 143/9 (20) | Afghanistan won by 38 runs |
| Afghanistan Tour of Qatar 2025 – Only T20I | Afghanistan vs Qatar | West End Park International Cricket Stadium, Doha | 149/8 (20) | 124/7 (20) | Afghanistan won by 25 runs |
Fans expect the Afghans to make life difficult for host team India in some 50-over innings. However, a significant percentage of fans and analysts believe India will clinch victory during the one-off Test and 3-match ODI series.
Full Squads
India national cricket team One-Off Test Squad vs Afghanistan
Batters: Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sai Sudharsan, Devdutt Padikkal
All-rounders: Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Manav Suthar, Harsh Dubey
Wicketkeepers: KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, Dhruv Jurel
Bowlers: Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar
Afghanistan national cricket team One-Off Test Squad vs India
Batters: Rahmanullah, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Rahmat Shah
All-rounders: Abdul Malik, Azmatullah Omarzai, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Nangeyalia Kharote
Wicketkeepers: Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Afsar Zazai, Ikram Alikhil
Bowlers: Qais Ahmad, Bilal Sami, Ziaur Rahman Sharifi, Mohammad Saleem Safi
India national cricket team ODI Squad vs Afghanistan
Batters: Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Rohit Sharma
All-rounders: Hardik Pandya, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Harsh Dubey
Wicketkeepers: KL Rahul, Ishan Kishan
Bowlers: Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Prasidh Krishna, Prince Yadav, Gurnoor Brar
Afghanistan national cricket team ODI Squad vs India
Batters: Hashmatullah Shahidi, Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Rahmat Shah
All-rounders: Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan, Nangeyalia Kharote, Mohammad Nabi
Wicketkeepers: Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ikram Alikhil
Bowlers: AM Ghazanfar, Ziaur Rahman Sharifi, Fareed Ahmad Malik, Bilal Sami
