In this India vs Afghanistan match prediction for the 3rd T20I, India are the strong favourites with a 55% win probability, backed by a flawless five-match winning streak and home advantage at Arun Jaitley Stadium. Abhishek Sharma’s explosive form at the top and Jasprit Bumrah’s lethal pace give India clear superiority in both departments. This preview covers the pitch report, playing XI expectations, toss prediction, and fantasy cricket tips for the series decider in Delhi.
India vs Afghanistan Match Details
Match | India vs Afghanistan | 3rd T20I | Afghanistan Tour of India |
Date | 17/09/2026 (Thursday) |
Time | BDT 8:00 PM / PKT 7:00 PM / INR 7:30 PM |
Format | T20 |
Venue | Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi |
Recent Performance | India – W W W W W, Afghanistan – L W W L L |
IND vs AFG Afghanistan Tour of India 2026: Live Streaming & Broadcast Info
The 3rd T20I between India and Afghanistan is available across a range of platforms depending on your location.
- Pakistan: A Sports TV (TV), Tamasha (Digital)
- India: Sony Sports Network / DD Sports (TV), FanCode (Digital)
- Bangladesh: Tapmad (Digital)
- UK: JioHotstar
- USA & Canada: Willow TV (TV), Willow by Cricbuzz (Digital)
- Australia & New Zealand: Fox Sports
- MENA: CricBuzz
- Worldwide: Matches available via Sports Live Hub for global streaming access across regions.
Click here to watch the Live Stream on Sports Live Hub (SLH)
India vs Afghanistan Toss Prediction
India are predicted to win the toss and opt to bat first at Arun Jaitley Stadium. Delhi pitches tend to offer better pace and carry early, making it an ideal surface to post a big total. Dew in the second innings can make it harder to grip the ball, favouring the batting side, another reason India would prefer to put runs on the board first.
Arun Jaitley Stadium Pitch Report
Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi
The Arun Jaitley Stadium surface in Delhi is traditionally a high-scoring ground in T20 cricket, offering a true and consistent bounce that batters love. Spinners get some purchase in the middle overs, but the boundary dimensions and fast outfield make run-scoring straightforward. In this IND vs AFG fixture, totals above 180 are entirely realistic, and the dew factor in the second innings will likely make the pitch even more batter-friendly as the match progresses.
Weather Report
Delhi in mid-September is warm and humid, with temperatures expected to hover around 30–33°C for the evening fixture. There is minimal chance of rain disruption, making a full 20-over game very likely. Dew will be the defining weather element, it typically rolls in by the 12th over in Delhi night matches, reducing grip for spinners and making it harder for Afghanistan’s wrist-spinners like Rashid Khan to extract turn in the back end of the innings.
IND vs AFG Head-to-Head Records
Matches Played | 11 |
IND Won | 9 |
AFG Won | 0 |
Tied | 1 |
No Result | 1 |
First-ever Fixture | May 1, 2010 |
Most-recent Fixture | September 15, 2026 |
India vs Afghanistan Team Preview & Squads
India
Shreyas Iyer captains this Indian T20 side with a clear attacking mandate, his own batting in the middle order provides crucial stability between the power-hitters. As captain, Iyer’s challenge is managing a deep and versatile squad in a match India have already won the series from, while still fielding a competitive eleven that protects momentum going into future assignments.
The batting structure is built around firepower from the top. Abhishek Sharma has been destructive in this format, and Sanju Samson brings experience and adaptability to the middle order. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Tilak Varma add depth, giving India the luxury of rotating batting options without losing attacking intent. A 200+ total is firmly on the cards if the top order fires.
The bowling department is India’s biggest strength in this series. Jasprit Bumrah leads the pace attack with his trademark variations and yorkers, while Axar Patel and Ravi Bishnoi provide reliable spin support in the middle overs. Nitish Kumar Reddy’s 3/24 in the previous match showed his value as a pace all-rounder who can contribute with both bat and ball, a genuine X-factor in the playing XI.
India Squad:
India
Shreyas Iyer, Tilak Varma, Abhishek Sharma, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Shivam Dube, Ishan Kishan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Ravi Bishnoi, Sanju Samson, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Washington Sundar, Yash Thakur
Afghanistan
Ibrahim Zadran captains Afghanistan with the dual responsibility of leading from the front as a top-order batter. He is Afghanistan’s most technically sound batter in this format, and his ability to anchor an innings is critical given the explosive but inconsistent nature of those around him. Ibrahim’s captaincy challenge is to find ways to limit India’s aggressive openers, something Afghanistan have struggled to do in this series.
At the top of the order, Rahmanullah Gurbaz provides Afghanistan their best chance of a quick start. His aggressive approach and T20 instincts make him the most likely catalyst for a competitive total. Azmatullah Omarzai is the key all-rounder who bridges the batting and bowling, his ability to hit boundaries lower down and contribute with pace is vital if Afghanistan are to challenge India in this decider.
Afghanistan’s bowling attack is led by the world-class Rashid Khan, whose wrist-spin remains dangerous even on flat Delhi surfaces. Noor Ahmad offers a left-arm wrist-spin variation, while Mujeeb Ur Rahman can be tricky at the top of the innings. The concern, however, is the dew factor, Afghanistan’s spin-heavy attack loses much of its potency once the ball gets slippery, which is precisely when India’s big hitters do the most damage.
Afghanistan Squad:
Afghanistan
Ibrahim Zadran, Abdollah Ahmadzai, Azmatullah Omarzai, Darwish Rasooli, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Gulbadin Naib, Mohammad Nabi, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Nangeyalia Kharote, Naveen-ul-Haq, Noor Ahmad, Noor ul Rahman, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Rashid Khan, Sediqullah Atal
IND vs AFG Prediction
Event | India | Afghanistan |
Toss Winner | India | – |
Player of the Match | Abhishek Sharma | – |
Top Run Scorer | Abhishek Sharma | Rahmanullah Gurbaz |
Top Wicket Taker | Jasprit Bumrah | Rashid Khan |
Most Sixes | Abhishek Sharma | Rahmanullah Gurbaz |
Predicted Score | 200+ | 190+ |
Win Probability | 55% | 45% |
India vs Afghanistan Winning Prediction
India are predicted to win the 3rd T20I with a 55% probability, completing a series whitewash on home soil. With five consecutive wins, Bumrah’s bowling brilliance, and Abhishek Sharma set for a big knock, the hosts carry every advantage into this Delhi fixture. Afghanistan’s spin battery is a threat, but the dew and Delhi’s true surface should help India post a massive total and defend it with ease. Can Afghanistan pull off a miracle at the Arun Jaitley Stadium? Follow JeetBuzz for live updates, real-time stats, and in-depth analysis throughout the Afghanistan tour of India 2026.
FAQ: Afghanistan Tour of India 2026 3rd T20I
Q1. What time does the IND vs AFG 3rd T20I start in IST?
The match begins at 7:30 PM IST on September 17, 2026.
Q2. Where can I watch the IND vs AFG 3rd T20I live in India?
The match is available to stream live on Sports Live Hub (SLH).
Q3. Who is the key player to watch in the IND vs AFG 3rd T20I?
Abhishek Sharma is the predicted Player of the Match, with his explosive batting at the top of the order expected to set the tone for India.