India vs Afghanistan 1st T20I: Bumrah Returns as India Face Key Selection Calls

The India vs Afghanistan 1st T20I takes place on Sunday, September 13, with the series opener scheduled for 7:00 PM IST in Delhi. The match is the first of three T20Is between the teams, with the remaining games also set to be played at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on September 15 and 17.

India enter the opener with several selection decisions to make under captain Shreyas Iyer. The biggest question surrounds the opening combination, with Sanju Samson and teenage batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi among the options being considered.

The return of Jasprit Bumrah adds another major talking point. The fast bowler has returned to training after his injury layoff and is part of India’s squad for the Afghanistan series, subject to the team’s final match-day selection.

Afghanistan arrive with a strong spin group led by Rashid Khan, alongside Noor Ahmad, Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Nangyal Kharoti. Their bowling resources could test India’s batting on a Delhi surface that can offer assistance to slower bowlers.

Afghanistan will also be led by Ibrahim Zadran, who has taken over as the team’s full-time T20I captain. The visitors have further strengthened their squad with the return of Naveen-ul-Haq, while experienced players including Mohammad Nabi, Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Azmatullah Omarzai provide additional depth.

With the toss still to come, the confirmed playing XIs remain the key missing piece. India’s opening combination and Afghanistan’s use of their spin options are likely to be among the most closely watched decisions before the first ball.

Jasprit Bumrah is back in India’s preparations for the Afghanistan T20I series after returning to full-squad training in Delhi. His presence strengthens an Indian pace attack that also includes Arshdeep Singh.

Bumrah had been working his way back after the knee injury he sustained during India’s England tour. His return to net bowling was one of the key developments in India’s build-up to the opening T20I.

The fast bowler was included in India’s original 15-member squad subject to fitness clearance. With Bumrah now training with the full group, the focus shifts to whether India select him in the final XI for the Delhi opener.

Afghanistan captain Ibrahim Zadran has already indicated that his side has specific plans for dealing with Bumrah. That makes the battle between India’s premier fast bowler and Afghanistan’s top order one of the most interesting match-ups of the series opener.

India’s most closely watched selection decision ahead of the India vs Afghanistan 1st T20I is likely to involve the opening combination. Sanju Samson and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi are among the options available to captain Shreyas Iyer.

Samson brings considerable experience at the international level, while Sooryavanshi offers a different option as India’s teenage batting prospect. The decision will depend on the combination India want to use against an Afghanistan attack with significant spin resources.

Sooryavanshi has also attracted attention during India’s preparations in Delhi. Recent net sessions highlighted the challenge of facing the new ball against India’s leading fast bowlers, but the young batter subsequently showed his attacking ability in optional practice.

Afghanistan’s bowling plans could make the opening decision even more significant. Their attack includes experienced spinners such as Rashid Khan and Noor Ahmad, while Naveen-ul-Haq provides another option with the new ball.

The final decision should become clear when India announce their playing XI at the toss. Until then, Samson versus Sooryavanshi remains one of the defining selection questions surrounding the Delhi opener.

Afghanistan have assembled a formidable group of spinners for the India vs Afghanistan 1st T20I. Captain Ibrahim Zadran can call on Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad, Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Nangyal Kharoti, giving the visitors several options through the middle overs.

Rashid remains the headline threat. His experience in T20 cricket gives Afghanistan a proven wicket-taking option, while Noor Ahmad offers another left-arm spin variation that can create different angles for India’s right- and left-handed batters.

Mujeeb’s presence adds further variety, particularly in the powerplay. Afghanistan can therefore use their spinners at different stages rather than relying solely on the middle overs to control India’s scoring rate.

India’s batting approach will be important against this attack. The top order will need to balance attacking intent with the risk of losing wickets to Afghanistan’s experienced spin options, especially if the Delhi surface slows during the match.

Afghanistan also have Naveen-ul-Haq back in the squad, giving Ibrahim Zadran another experienced pace option alongside the team’s spin-heavy attack. How Afghanistan balance these bowling resources will be worth watching once the playing XIs are confirmed.

Shreyas Iyer leads India into the series opener with a strong squad at his disposal. His immediate challenge is to settle India’s playing combination, particularly at the top of the order, before the toss against Afghanistan.

Iyer’s decisions will extend beyond the opening pair. With Jasprit Bumrah available again and India possessing several bowling options, the captain and team management must find the right balance for the Delhi conditions.

Afghanistan will be led by Ibrahim Zadran, who has taken over as the team’s full-time T20I captain. Zadran will have an experienced core around him, including Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi, Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Azmatullah Omarzai.

Zadran also has a clear tactical advantage in his bowling resources. Afghanistan can rotate several spinners through the innings and use Naveen-ul-Haq as an experienced pace option after his return to the squad.

The captaincy battle should become particularly interesting once the toss is completed. Both sides have different selection and tactical questions to answer, making the opening T20I more than just a contest between two batting lineups.

India and Afghanistan will meet again at the same venue for the second T20I on September 15, followed by the third match on September 17. All three games are scheduled to be played in New Delhi.

The match is also an important part of India’s preparation before the upcoming Asian Games, while Afghanistan will look to make an early statement against a strong Indian side.

With the toss still pending, the confirmed playing XIs should be checked separately before making any definitive assessment of the final team combinations.

India Squad

Shreyas Iyer (captain), Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan, Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Varun Chakaravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh and Yash Thakur.

Yash Thakur was added to India’s squad after Harshit Rana was ruled out with a rectus femoris strain suffered during a match simulation.

Afghanistan Squad

Ibrahim Zadran (captain), Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Azmatullah Omarzai, Gulbadin Naib, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Nangyal Kharoti, Naveen-ul-Haq and other selected squad members.

Afghanistan’s squad combines experienced T20 players with a deep group of spin options. The return of Naveen-ul-Haq is another significant addition after his lengthy absence from international cricket.

The final playing XIs will be confirmed at the toss. Squad membership should therefore not be treated as confirmation that every listed player will feature in the first T20I.

India’s Opening Combination

The choice between Sanju Samson and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is one of the main selection questions surrounding India. The confirmed opening pair should be checked once the playing XI is announced at the toss.

Jasprit Bumrah’s Return

Bumrah’s return to India’s preparations is another major storyline. His presence could give India additional control with the new ball and experience against an Afghanistan batting lineup capable of attacking early.

Afghanistan’s Spin Options

Afghanistan’s ability to deploy Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad and other spin options could determine how India approaches the middle overs. The surface and conditions in Delhi will be important factors.

Confirmed Playing XIs

The final team combinations remain unconfirmed before the toss. India’s bowling balance, Afghanistan’s use of their spinners and the opening combination are among the decisions to watch when both captains name their teams.

This article is written and reviewed as cricket news coverage, with a focus on confirmed information surrounding the India vs Afghanistan 1st T20I. Squad details and player availability are based on official announcements from the BCCI and ICC, supported by current match-day reporting.

Information that can change before the match, including the playing XI, toss result and late fitness updates, is clearly distinguished from confirmed squad information. No final XI is presented before the teams officially announce their selections.

Author: Bharat Shah
Coverage: India vs Afghanistan 1st T20I, September 13, 2026
Primary sources: BCCI, ICC and current match-day cricket reports

For more context on India’s pace attack ahead of this series, read our previous coverage on Jasprit Bumrah’s return to training ahead of the Afghanistan 1st T20I .

You can also explore the 99ExCh cricket news archive for additional match reports, previews and India cricket updates.

Squad and series information has been checked against official updates from the BCCI and ICC. Current match-day developments and selection-related details were cross-checked with established cricket news outlets.

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• ICC — India look for perfect opening combination and T20I momentum
• ICC — Afghanistan squad for India series

The India vs Afghanistan 1st T20I has several important storylines before the first ball. Jasprit Bumrah’s return adds quality to India’s bowling attack, while the opening combination remains one of the key selection decisions for Shreyas Iyer and the team management.

Afghanistan have the resources to challenge India, particularly through their experienced spin attack led by Rashid Khan and Noor Ahmad. Ibrahim Zadran’s side will also hope the return of Naveen-ul-Haq strengthens their bowling options.

With the toss and playing XIs still to come, the final team combinations will provide the clearest indication of how both sides plan to approach the opening T20I in Delhi.

The three-match series begins with both teams looking to establish early momentum, making the first T20I an important contest at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.