Home but Away: Team India Set to Play as 'Guests' in Historic Delhi T20 Series!
- byPranay Jain
- 02 Jun, 2026
Get ready for one of the most unusual and historic spectacles in cricket history. This coming September, Team India is set to take the field at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi—but they won’t be operating as 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 schedule, sources indicate the historic matches are slated for September 13, 16, and 19.
The Logic Behind the Dynamic Shift
The unique arrangement 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, the BCCI is stepping in to assist, utilizing India's world-class infrastructure to help its neighboring board.
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A Proven Revenue Strategy: 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 Handover: 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 League Adjustments: The DDCA is already working on tweaking the schedule of its local Delhi T20 League to ensure the venue is entirely at Afghanistan's disposal.
The Full Road Map: Afghanistan’s Action-Packed India Tour
Before the historic September T20 showdown, the Afghan team is scheduled for a multi-format tour of India starting this June. Officials from the ACB are expected to finalize the official paperwork for the September T20 series during this upcoming visit.
Here is how the 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 |
A Unique Sight for Fans
While Indian fans are used to bleeding blue on home soil, they will witness a rare sight this September: their favorite superstars walking out of the away-team dressing room in their own capital city!






