Afghanistan-India T20Is: 5 players to watch out for
What's the story
Team India is all set to take on Afghanistan in a three-match T20I series, starting September 13. The matches will be played in Delhi, with Shreyas Iyer leading the team and Ibrahim Zadran captaining the Afghanistan unit. The series will be a preparation for both teams ahead of the Asian Games. On this note, we look at five players who could make a huge impact in this upcoming series.
#1
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi
The 15-year-old prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi was drafted into the senior team after an outstanding IPL 2026 season, where he scored a whopping 776 runs at an astonishing strike rate of 237.30.
He also ended the recent Zimbabwe T20I series with two half-centuries and was named Player of the Series.
His familiarity with Indian tracks could make life difficult for Afghan bowlers in this series.
#2
Ishan Kishan
Ishan Kishan, another Indian left-hander, has been on fire in T20 cricket this year.
He has scored 812 runs in 23 T20Is at an average of 35.30, the most by a Full Member team player according to Cricinfo.
His tally includes six fifties, one century, and a strike rate of 176.90.
Kishan's performance in the recent Duleep Trophy final, where he scored 270 and 80, will only add to his confidence going into this series.
#3
Rahmanullah Gurbaz
Afghanistan batting sensation Rahmanullah Gurbaz has been on a roll in T20 cricket this year.
He has scored 1,004 runs in the format in 2026 at an average of 40.16 and a strike rate of 179.28.
Coming to his T20I stats, the wicketkeeper-batter has tallied 2,280 runs across 87 T20Is at 26.20 (SR: 135.55).
Gurbaz has touched the 50-run mark 14 times, converting one of them into a ton.
#4
Rashid Khan
Star leg-spinner Rashid Khan enjoyed a golden run in the recent ODI series against Ireland, where he claimed 12 wickets at 10.58.
He is also one of the best bowlers in the history of T20 cricket, being the only one to cross the 700-wicket mark.
With 193 scalps at an economy of 6.04, Rashid is also the highest wicket-taker in T20I history.
#5
Jasprit Bumrah
Premier pacer Jasprit Bumrah has cleared the fitness test to take part in the upcoming series.
With an unorthodox action, Bumrah has been the most lethal pacer in T20s. His efficiency in the death overs is second to none.
Since making his T20I debut in 2016, Bumrah has taken 121 wickets from 95 matches at an average of 18.08.
His economy rate of 6.51 is among the best for a pacer in the format.