New Delhi: In a historic cricketing quirk, India will take the field as the official visiting side on home soil for a three-match T20 International series against Afghanistan at New Delhi's Arun Jaitley Stadium, commencing on 13 September 2026. The arrangement saw India assigned to the away dressing room, named after former cricketer Prakash Bhandari, while Afghanistan occupied the home quarters bearing Raman Lamba's name. Although the venue belongs to the Delhi & District Cricket Association, official hosting rights reside with the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB), turning the world's top-ranked side into guests in their own capital city.

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Adopting Indian Soil as a Home Base

Afghanistan’s designation as the host team comes from a decade-long partnership rooted in necessity and sporting diplomacy. Ongoing security concerns and political instability in Kabul have prevented international teams from touring Afghanistan, forcing the ACB to operate from neutral venues. India has repeatedly provided safe harbour for Afghan cricket over the years, granting the team home bases in Greater Noida, Dehradun, and Lucknow alongside facilities in the United Arab Emirates. Deep familiarity with Indian pitches and playing conditions has drastically bridged the competitive gap, allowing Afghanistan’s stars to feel completely at home when facing elite international opposition.

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Economic Lifelines and Geopolitical Friendship

The decision to hold the series in New Delhi provides crucial financial and logistical advantages for the visiting hosts. Holding administrative host status in India enables the ACB to retain key commercial, venue, and broadcasting rights within the world's largest cricket market, providing vital revenue to sustain Afghan cricket's development. Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) officials confirmed to ANI that facilitating the series highlights a firm commitment to nurturing Afghan cricket.