Afghanistan and India will meet in the third and final T20I of the series on Thursday, September 17, 2026, at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi. India have already taken an unassailable 2-0 lead after winning both matches by seven wickets, but Afghanistan will be determined to avoid a series whitewash and finish the tour with a strong performance.
All three matches in the series are being played in Delhi. India won the opening T20I by seven wickets after chasing 157 in only 13.4 overs, while the second match followed a similar pattern. Afghanistan scored 159/8, but India reached 163/3 in 14.5 overs to secure another seven-wicket victory.
The Arun Jaitley Stadium has generally offered an entertaining T20 surface, with help for stroke-makers once batters settle in. The short boundaries can make the ground difficult to defend, particularly if a team has wickets in hand during the final five overs.
The venue’s average first-innings score has been reported between 149 and 166 in T20 matches, while a competitive total under normal conditions should be around 170 or more. Spinners can remain important because the surface may slow down as the innings progresses, although new-ball seamers can also find movement under cloudy conditions. Recent reports suggest that spin has accounted for slightly more wickets than pace at this venue.
The toss could again be important. Captains may prefer to bowl first because the ball can come on better during the chase, while evening humidity and possible dew could make gripping the ball harder for spinners later in the match.
Delhi is expected to be hot and humid during the day, with temperatures forecast to remain roughly between 24°C and 30°C, depending on the time and source. There is a risk of rain and thunderstorms earlier in the day, with some forecasts indicating a high daytime precipitation chance. However, the possibility of rain is expected to reduce considerably by the evening, when conditions may be cloudy but more suitable for cricket.
The main concern will be any afternoon shower that leaves the outfield wet or delays the start. If the match begins on time, the players could face humid conditions, a slightly slippery ball and some assistance for fast bowlers during the opening overs.
IND vs AFG Match Details
- Match: Afghanistan vs India, 3rd T20I
- League/Series: Afghanistan tour of India, 2026
- Season: 2026
- Date: Thursday, September 17, 2026
- Time: 7:30 PM local time and 7:30 PM IST
- Venue: Arun Jaitley Stadium, New Delhi
IND vs AFG Live Streaming Info
- India TV channels: Sony Sports Network (mainly Sony Sports Ten 5; some matches also on Sony Sports Ten 3 and Ten 4 in Hindi/regional feeds)Free TV option: DD Sports has also been listed for free telecast in some reports
- India: Sony Sports Network (TV) + FanCode (OTT)
- Pakistan: A Sports (TV) + Tamasha (OTT)
- North America: Willow TV / Willow by Cricbuzz
- UK: JioHotstar (streaming)
- Afghanistan: Ariana TV + Etisalat digital
How to Watch the Match for Free:
Free TV: If you have a TV with an antenna or DD Free Dish, you can watch the match on DD Sports, which is a free-to-air channel listed for this series. Live Streaming Info:The IND vs AFG 3rd T20 match will be live on Willow TV.
Live Score Info:
India vs Afghanistan 3rd T20 2026: ESPN and Cricbuzz have live scores.Although India have alread won the series, the third match still carries significance for both sides. India will be aiming to complete a 3-0 sweep and continue building momentum under captain Shreyas Iyer. The match also provides an opportunity to test squad depth, give valuable game time to fringe players and maintain the aggressive style that has produced two comfortable victories.
For Afghanistan, this is a chance to recover confidence. Their batting has produced competitive totals in both games, but the team has not been able to defend them. A win against India would give the players a much-needed boost and offer evidence that their powerful spin attack can compete against one of the strongest T20 sides in the world.
Current Form and Momentum
India have been dominant throughout the series. In the first T20I, left-handed opener Abhishek Sharma smashed 82 from 32 balls, including seven fours and seven sixes. Arshdeep Singh then led the bowling effort with 3/19 as Afghanistan finished on 156/8.
The second match again highlighted India’s batting depth. Sanju Samson produced a remarkable 57 from only 22 deliveries, while Abhishek Sharma added 39 from 19 balls. Nitish Kumar Reddy was equally influential with the ball, taking 3/24, and India completed the chase with 31 balls remaining.
Afghanistan’s batting has shown flashes of quality. Azmatullah Omarzai scored an unbeaten 64 in the opening game, while Mohammad Nabi made 33. Ibrahim Zadran contributed 37 in the second match and Rashid Khan provided a late burst with 28 from 16 balls. The problem has been the lack of a substantial top-order partnership and the inability of the bowlers to stop India’s aggressive powerplay batting.
Team Analysis: Afghanistan
Afghanistan’s biggest strength remains their variety in spin. Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi, Noor Ahmad, Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Nangyal Kharoti give captain Ibrahim Zadran several options in the middle overs. Rashid’s ability to take wickets and score quick runs also makes him central to Afghanistan’s chances.
Azmatullah Omarzai has been one of the most important players in the series. His powerful batting and useful seam bowling provide balance, while Nabi continues to offer experience in pressure situations. Rahmanullah Gurbaz can change the game quickly if he survives the opening spell.
The main weakness has been the top order’s inconsistency. Afghanistan need Gurbaz, Ibrahim and Sediqullah Atal to provide a faster start and reduce the pressure on Omarzai, Nabi and Rashid. Their bowlers also need to vary their pace more effectively, especially against India’s left-hand-heavy batting combination.
Key players: Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi and Fazalhaq Farooqi.
Probable XI: Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Sediqullah Atal, Ibrahim Zadran, Darwish Rasooli, Azmatullah Omarzai, Gulbadin Naib, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Naveen-ul-Haq
Team Analysis: India
India have looked superior in every department. Their opening combination has attacked from the start, their middle order has not been exposed under pressure, and their bowling attack has repeatedly taken wickets at important moments.
Abhishek Sharma is the leading batting threat after his explosive 82 in the first match and a brisk 39 in the second. Sanju Samson’s 57 from 22 balls demonstrated his ability to destroy spin and pace alike. Shreyas Iyer provides stability at the top of the middle order, while Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube and Nitish Kumar Reddy give India additional power.
The bowling unit is also well balanced. Arshdeep Singh has delivered with the new ball and at the death, Jasprit Bumrah brings control and experience, and India can call on Varun Chakaravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, Axar Patel and Washington Sundar for spin. Nitish Kumar Reddy’s three-wicket performance in the second T20I further improved the team’s balance.
India’s only concern may be complacency. With the series already secured, they could make changes, and a weakened combination might give Afghanistan an opportunity. The team will also want to improve its middle-order involvement after completing two easy chases.
Key players: Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Shreyas Iyer, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh and Nitish Kumar Reddy.
Probable XI: Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Sanju Samson, Shreyas Iyer, Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy
Head-to-Head Record
India have enjoyed a clear advantage in T20Is against Afghanistan. Before the latest series, India had won eight of nine meetings, with one match ending without a result. India’s back-to-back victories in this series have taken the overall number of encounters to 11. Afghanistan are still searching for their first T20I win over India.
The head-to-head record shows India’s consistency, but Afghanistan have occasionally pushed them close, particularly through Rashid Khan’s bowling and strong all-round performances.
India enter the contest as overwhelming favourites. They have stronger batting depth, more reliable fast-bowling options and greater experience in handling pressure. The Delhi pitch should suit their aggressive top order, while Bumrah, Arshdeep and the spin options give them answers in every phase.
Afghanistan can compete if Gurbaz and Ibrahim provide a strong powerplay and Rashid Khan strikes early. However, India’s recent momentum and superior balance make another Indian victory the most likely outcome.
India to beat Afghanistan and complete a 3-0 series whitewash. A shortened match because of rain could make the contest closer, but India remain the better-equipped side in both full-length and reduced-overs conditions.