Updated: September 15, 2026
Overview
India have a chance to seal the three-match T20I series against Afghanistan when the teams meet in the India vs Afghanistan 2nd T20I at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on Tuesday, September 15.
India lead the series 1–0 after a dominant seven-wicket victory in the opening match. Afghanistan made 156/8 before India chased the target in only 13.4 overs, powered by a sensational 82 from Abhishek Sharma.
But the second match comes with an important change to India’s plans.
Spinner Varun Chakaravarthy has been ruled out of the remaining T20Is after an MRI confirmed a side strain. His participation in the upcoming Asian Games is also uncertain.
That injury creates a fresh selection question for India, while Afghanistan must find a way to respond after being outplayed in the series opener.
India need one more victory to take the series 2–0.
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India vs Afghanistan 2nd T20I: Quick Details
| Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Match | India vs Afghanistan, 2nd T20I |
| Date | September 15, 2026 |
| Venue | Arun Jaitley Stadium, New Delhi |
| Start time | 7:30 PM IST |
| Toss | Around 7:00 PM IST |
| Series | India lead 1–0 |
| Format | T20 International |
| First T20I result | India won by 7 wickets |
The second T20I is scheduled for 7:30 PM IST, with both teams playing at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi. The three-match series is being staged at the same venue.
Table of Contents
Why India vs Afghanistan 2nd T20I Is Important
India are just one win away from winning the series.
A victory would give Shreyas Iyer’s team an unassailable 2–0 lead, leaving Afghanistan unable to draw the series in the final match.
For Afghanistan, the equation is much simpler.
They must win.
The visitors were competitive only in patches during the first T20I. Their batting collapsed to 43/5 before Azmatullah Omarzai’s counterattacking 64 helped Afghanistan recover to 156/8. India then chased the total with 38 balls remaining.
Afghanistan therefore need a much stronger performance with both bat and ball.
The Biggest India Team News: Varun Chakaravarthy Is Out
India will definitely have to make at least one change.
Varun Chakaravarthy has been ruled out of the remaining T20Is because of a side strain.
Chakaravarthy played in the first match and completed his four overs, taking one wicket for 16 runs.
However, he reported discomfort afterward, and an MRI subsequently confirmed a fresh side strain. He has been instructed to return to the BCCI Centre of Excellence for further assessment.
The injury is also significant because India are preparing for the Asian Games.
His availability for the continental tournament remains uncertain.
For the second T20I, India now need to decide how to replace one of their most experienced T20 spinners.
Will Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Play?
One of the most interesting selection questions surrounding the India vs Afghanistan 2nd T20I is whether India will give teenage batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi an opportunity.
Sooryavanshi was included in India’s 15-member squad for the Afghanistan series.
However, he did not play the first T20I.
Instead, Sanju Samson opened alongside Abhishek Sharma.
That combination helped India chase down Afghanistan’s 156/8 in only 13.4 overs.
So India face an interesting choice.
Should they keep a winning combination?
Or should they use the second T20I to give one of their most exciting young batters an opportunity?
There is no confirmed answer until the official team sheet is announced.
That means any predicted XI published before the toss should be treated as a prediction rather than confirmed team news.
Abhishek Sharma Is India’s Biggest Batting Threat
If Afghanistan want to level the series, they need to find a way to stop Abhishek Sharma.
The left-handed opener produced one of the most destructive innings of the first T20I.
He smashed 82 from 32 balls, including seven fours and seven sixes.
India needed only 157 to win, but Abhishek’s attack made the chase look almost effortless.
He was particularly aggressive during the powerplay and put Afghanistan’s bowlers under immediate pressure.
The challenge for Afghanistan is now obvious:
Can they remove Abhishek before he gets another explosive start?
If they fail, India’s chase could again become very difficult to stop.
What Happened in the First T20I?
The opening match provided a clear picture of the strengths and weaknesses of both teams.
Afghanistan won the toss and batted first but struggled badly in the opening overs.
India reduced them to 43/5 before Azmatullah Omarzai and Mohammad Nabi helped rebuild the innings.
Omarzai finished unbeaten on 64 from 44 balls, while Nabi contributed 33.
Afghanistan eventually reached 156/8.
But the total was never enough once Abhishek Sharma started attacking.
Sanju Samson was dismissed for 10, but Abhishek and Ishan Kishan then took control.
Ishan scored 42, while Abhishek produced his 82.
India reached 157/3 in just 13.4 overs.
India’s Bowling Attack Set Up the Victory
The result was not only about Abhishek.
India’s bowlers had already put the team in control.
Arshdeep Singh took 3/19, while Jasprit Bumrah also made an immediate impact on his return to the T20I setup.
Afghanistan lost wickets at regular intervals early in the innings.
That forced Omarzai and Nabi to rebuild rather than attack from the start.
India’s ability to strike with the new ball was therefore one of the biggest reasons Afghanistan were restricted to 156.
With Varun now unavailable, however, India’s bowling combination will change.
That could give Afghanistan a new opportunity.
Who Replaces Varun Chakaravarthy?
India have several options.
Ravi Bishnoi is an obvious spin option, while Axar Patel and Washington Sundar can also provide overs of spin.
India could alternatively strengthen their pace attack depending on the conditions and the balance of the XI.
The official squad includes:
- Ravi Bishnoi
- Axar Patel
- Washington Sundar
- Jasprit Bumrah
- Arshdeep Singh
- Yash Thakur
The exact combination will depend on India’s tactical plan and the final team selection.
India’s original Afghanistan squad included Varun Chakaravarthy, but the BCCI has now confirmed that he is unavailable for the remaining T20Is.
India’s Predicted Playing XI
A possible India XI for the second T20I is:
- Abhishek Sharma
- Sanju Samson / Vaibhav Sooryavanshi
- Ishan Kishan
- Shreyas Iyer (captain)
- Tilak Varma
- Shivam Dube
- Axar Patel
- Washington Sundar
- Jasprit Bumrah
- Arshdeep Singh
- Ravi Bishnoi / Yash Thakur
The most important uncertainties are the opening combination and the replacement for Varun.
This is a predicted XI, not the confirmed playing XI.
The official team sheets should be used once the toss takes place.
Afghanistan’s Biggest Challenge
Afghanistan have match-winners throughout their squad.
Rashid Khan remains one of the world’s most dangerous T20 spinners.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz can change a game during the powerplay.
Azmatullah Omarzai demonstrated his batting quality with an unbeaten 64 in the opening match.
Mohammad Nabi also showed his experience during the recovery from 43/5.
But Afghanistan need their top order to stay at the crease longer.
A second collapse against India’s new-ball attack could again leave them with too much work to do in the middle and lower order.
What Afghanistan Need to Change
1. Survive the powerplay
Afghanistan lost four early wickets in the opening match.
That cannot happen again if they want to challenge India.
2. Give Gurbaz and the top order time
Afghanistan need their most aggressive batters to create a platform rather than spending the first half of the innings rebuilding.
3. Attack India’s changed bowling combination
Varun’s absence gives Afghanistan one tactical variable they did not have in the first match.
They need to understand which spinner or fifth bowler India selects and attack the weaker matchup.
4. Stop Abhishek Sharma
This may be the most important point.
If Abhishek survives the first few overs, India’s batting can put Afghanistan under enormous pressure.
What India Need to Do
India do not need a dramatic tactical overhaul.
They already dominated the first match.
The priorities are more straightforward.
First, India need to replace Varun effectively.
Second, they need another strong opening partnership.
Third, they need to avoid giving Afghanistan an opportunity to build momentum.
The biggest selection question remains whether India value continuity or want to give Sooryavanshi another opportunity.
India vs Afghanistan Head-to-Head
India have historically enjoyed a strong record against Afghanistan in T20 internationals.
Before this series, the teams had met nine times in T20Is, with India winning seven, one match ending in a tie and one producing no result.
India also won their most recent T20 World Cup meeting, defeating Afghanistan by 47 runs in the 2024 Super Eight stage.
The first T20I of this series added another Indian victory.
Afghanistan now have an immediate opportunity to prevent India from extending that dominance to another series win.
India vs Afghanistan 2nd T20I: Where to Watch
The second T20I will be played at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi.
In India, the series is being carried on the Sony Sports Network, with streaming options including FanCode. Current listings should be checked close to match time because broadcast availability can vary by platform and territory.
International broadcast arrangements vary by country.
For readers primarily interested in live match information, the better destination is your site’s sports section.
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India vs Afghanistan 2nd T20I: Four Questions to Watch
There are four questions that could define the match.
Can Afghanistan stop Abhishek Sharma?
His 82 from 32 balls changed the first game.
Another fast start could put India in control again.
Who replaces Varun Chakaravarthy?
India have several bowling options, but replacing an experienced T20 spinner is not straightforward.
Will Vaibhav Sooryavanshi play?
The teenager remains one of the biggest selection talking points.
India may choose continuity after a seven-wicket victory, or they may decide that the second match is the right moment to give Sooryavanshi another opportunity.
Can Afghanistan force a third T20I?
This is the biggest question for the visitors.
A victory would make Thursday’s final match decisive.
A loss would hand India the series.
What Happens If India Win?
If India win the second T20I, they will take a 2–0 lead and seal the three-match series.
The third match on September 17 would then become an opportunity for both teams to experiment and assess squad depth rather than a must-win contest.
For India, that could become particularly useful with the Asian Games approaching.
For Afghanistan, however, the second T20I is effectively a must-win.
What Happens If Afghanistan Win?
A victory for Afghanistan would level the series at 1–1.
That would dramatically change the atmosphere around the final match.
Instead of India entering the third game with the series already secured, both teams would have everything to play for.
That is why the second T20I matters despite India’s strong opening performance.
India vs Afghanistan 2nd T20I FAQ
When is India vs Afghanistan 2nd T20I?
The second T20I is scheduled for Tuesday, September 15, 2026.
What time does India vs Afghanistan 2nd T20I start?
The match is scheduled to start at 7:30 PM IST, with the toss expected around 7:00 PM IST.
Where is India vs Afghanistan 2nd T20I being played?
The match is being played at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi.
Who won the first India vs Afghanistan T20I?
India won the first T20I by seven wickets.
Afghanistan scored 156/8, while India reached 157/3 in 13.4 overs.
Who scored the most runs for India in the first T20I?
Abhishek Sharma scored 82 from 32 balls, including seven fours and seven sixes.
Is Varun Chakaravarthy playing the second T20I?
No. Varun Chakaravarthy has been ruled out of the remaining T20Is after an MRI confirmed a side strain.
Will Vaibhav Sooryavanshi play?
His selection is one of the major questions before the match. He was included in India’s squad but did not play the first T20I.
What is India’s series position?
India lead the three-match series 1–0.
Can India win the series in the second T20I?
Yes. India need one more victory to take an unassailable 2–0 lead.
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Where can I find India vs Afghanistan live score?
Use the site’s dedicated live-score page when available, or visit the Sports section for live sports and match updates.
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