SPORTS
Cricket History in the Making: Why Team India Will Be 'Guests' on Their Own Turf This September!
Get ready for one of the most bizarre and historic spectacles in cricket history. This coming September, Team India is set to pad up and take the field at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi—but they won’t be the home team. In a fascinating twist of cricketing diplomacy, Afghanistan will act as the official hosts for a three-match T20 series played right in the heart of India's capital.
While the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has yet to officially lock in the dates, sources indicate the historic matches are slated for September 13, 16, and 19.
Why is Afghanistan Hosting in Delhi?
The unusual setup comes down to a mix of logistical necessity and excellent cross-border sports diplomacy. Because Afghanistan cannot easily host international bilateral series on its own soil due to security and infrastructure challenges, the BCCI is stepping in to help.
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The Revenue Boost: The BCCI has a long-standing history of helping growing cricket boards (like Ireland, Sri Lanka, and Zimbabwe) generate crucial broadcasting and ticket revenue by agreeing to these unique fixtures.
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The Venue Swap: The BCCI is reportedly coordinating directly with the Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA) to hand over the keys of the Arun Jaitley Stadium to the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) for the series.
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Local Adjustments: The DDCA is already working on tweaking the schedule of its local Delhi T20 League to ensure the stadium is entirely at Afghanistan's disposal.
The Full Road Map: Afghanistan’s Action-Packed India Schedule
Before the historic September T20 showdown, the Afghan Cheetahs are already scheduled for a multi-format tour of India starting this June.
Here is how the upcoming June tour looks:
| Date | Match Type | Venue |
| June 6 | One-off Test Match | New Chandigarh |
| June 13 | 1st ODI | Dharamshala |
| June 17 | 2nd ODI | Lucknow |
| June 20 | 3rd ODI | Chennai |
What's Next?
Officials from the ACB are expected to finalize the official paperwork for the historic September T20 series during their upcoming June visit.
While Indian fans are used to bleeding blue on home soil, they will witness a truly unique sight this September: their favorite superstars walking out of the away-team dressing room in their own capital city!
