Last Updated: September 13, 2026 05:07 PM
Cricket scheduling sometimes produces genuinely unusual and surprising situations for fans. This upcoming series creates a rare, historic scenario. Here is the complete explanation behind this fascinating arrangement.
Understanding Why India Are the Away Team
India begin a three-match T20I series against Afghanistan on September 13, 2026. This series takes place entirely at Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium venue.
Despite playing in Delhi, this series is officially classified as Afghanistan’s home series. The Afghanistan Cricket Board is officially hosting this entire series in Delhi.
Afghanistan cannot host international cricket domestically due to ongoing security concerns. This explains exactly why India are the away team during this series.
First-Ever Series Against Afghanistan Hosted in Delhi
Afghanistan has previously hosted teams in India, but never India itself before. This series marks the very first time Afghanistan hosts India on Indian soil. This creates a genuinely historic situation for India’s entire cricketing history.
Reports suggest this is the first instance in 94 years of Indian cricket. India will play a match in India without holding home-team status. This unusual arrangement highlights cricket’s flexible approach toward hosting rights and logistics.
Afghanistan captain Ibrahim Zadran will handle responsibilities normally given to home captains. This includes conducting the official coin toss before each match begins. India captain Shreyas Iyer will simply call heads or tails instead.
Afghanistan will occupy the home dressing room throughout this entire series. India, meanwhile, will use the visitors’ dressing room despite playing domestically. This formal setup confirms India as away team status throughout the series.
Commercial Benefits and What This Means Going Forward
This arrangement isn’t merely ceremonial, as Afghanistan gains real financial benefits here. Afghanistan receives broadcast revenue, ticket sales and in-stadium commercial rights entirely.
This creates a genuine “home away from home” setup for Afghanistan’s cricket board. Both teams are also using this series to prepare for the Asian Games.
This series highlights how geography and official hosting status can differ completely. Fans will now watch this rare arrangement unfold across all three matches.
