The Indian men's cricket team's campaign at the 2026 Asian Games is about to begin, and the quarter-final line-up is now clear. Team India received a direct entry into the knockout stage based on its ranking and will now face Afghanistan for a place in the semi-finals.

The Indian women's team has already delivered a gold-medal performance at the Games. Now, attention has shifted to the men's team, which will look to begin its campaign with a strong victory.

India to face Afghanistan in the quarter-final

The men's T20 cricket competition at the 2026 Asian Games began on September 24 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.

India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh were given direct entry into the quarter-finals based on their rankings. The remaining teams had to compete in the group stage for the four available quarter-final spots.

Afghanistan, Nepal and Japan were placed in Group A, while another group featured the remaining competing teams.

India was scheduled to face the second-placed team from Group A. After the group-stage results, Afghanistan finished second and therefore secured a quarter-final clash against India.

Rain decides Group A standings

The final Group A match between Japan and Nepal was abandoned because of rain.

Both teams received one point from the washed-out game. Nepal's overall tally reached three points, which was enough to finish at the top of the group.

Afghanistan ended the group stage with two points and finished second.

As a result, India will now take on Afghanistan in the quarter-final, while Sri Lanka will face Nepal in the other quarter-final involving Group A teams.

India vs Afghanistan for the fourth time this month

The upcoming Asian Games clash will be the fourth T20 meeting between India and Afghanistan this month.

The two sides have already faced each other in a three-match T20 series in Delhi, with India completing a 3-0 series sweep.

That record gives India considerable confidence heading into the quarter-final.

India has also sent a strong squad for the Asian Games, while Afghanistan has reportedly fielded a second-string side. On paper, this makes India the clear favourite, but the knockout stage leaves little room for complacency.

India eye a place in the semi-finals

With a spot in the semi-finals at stake, Team India will now look to carry its strong recent record against Afghanistan into the Asian Games.

A victory would take India one step closer to the gold medal, while Afghanistan will be determined to produce an upset and end India's campaign in the quarter-finals.

The stage is set for another India-Afghanistan T20 battle — this time with an Asian Games semi-final spot on the line.