India vs Afghanistan Live Streaming Online and Free Telecast, 1st T20I 2026
Catch all the action of the India vs Afghanistan 1st T20I 2026! This comprehensive guide provides live streaming and telecast details for the Friendship Cup opener, including match date, start time (7:00 PM IST), venue (Arun Jaitley Stadium, New Delhi), and where to watch on TV (Sony Sports Network) and online (FanCode) in India.
The much-awaited three-match T20 International (T20I) series between India and Afghanistan, officially dubbed the Friendship Cup, commences today, Sunday, September 13, 2026. This series, hosted by Afghanistan in India, marks a significant preparatory phase for the Indian team ahead of their Asian Games 2026 campaign in Japan. Delhi Weather Forecast and Rain Chances for India vs Afghanistan 1st T20I 2026.
All three matches of the series will be played at the iconic Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi. The opening T20I is scheduled to begin at 7:00 PM Indian Standard Time (IST), with the toss slated for 6:30 PM IST. India, led by Shreyas Iyer, will be looking to fine-tune their squad, while Ibrahim Zadran's Afghanistan side aims to make an impact against the reigning T20 World Champions.
Match Details
| Match | Date | Start Time (IST) | Venue | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st T20I | Sep 13, 2026 | 7:00 PM | Arun Jaitley Stadium, New Delhi | Friendship Cup T20I Series |
Where to Watch India vs Afghanistan 1st T20I 2026
For fans in India, comprehensive coverage of the India vs Afghanistan 1st T20I will be available across television and digital platforms.
In India
- Television: The Sony Sports Network has secured exclusive broadcast rights for the series. Viewers can tune into Sony Sports Ten 3, Sony Sports Ten 4 (for Hindi and regional languages), and Sony Sports Ten 5 (for English) channels for live telecast.
- Live Streaming: Digital viewers can catch all the action live on FanCode (mobile app and website).
Head-to-Head and Recent Form
India has a dominant record against Afghanistan in T20 Internationals. In nine encounters between the two teams, India has emerged victorious eight times, with one match ending in a no-result. Afghanistan is still searching for their maiden T20I win against India. India Likely Playing XI for 1st T20I vs Afghanistan: Check Predicted 11.
India comes into this series as the reigning ICC Men's T20 World Cup champions, having secured their third title in March 2026 by defeating New Zealand by 96 runs in the final. While they experienced mixed results in subsequent T20I series against Ireland and England, they recently swept Zimbabwe 3-0 in an away series. Afghanistan, on the other hand, displayed strong performances in the 2026 T20 World Cup, including a five-wicket win against UAE on February 16, 2026, and finished their campaign with a significant 82-run victory over Canada on February 19, 2026. They will be eager to bounce back after losing a one-off Test and a three-match ODI series to India earlier this year in June 2026.
With both teams boasting a blend of explosive batsmen and crafty bowlers, the Friendship Cup promises to be an exciting contest. Cricket enthusiasts worldwide will be keenly watching to see if Afghanistan can upset the dominant Indian side on their 'home' turf.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 13, 2026 06:30 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
