Archive · 13 Sep 2026
Bumrah Returns as India Opt to Bowl Against Afghanistan
India and Afghanistan are playing the first match of a three-game T20 cricket series.
India won the coin toss and decided to bowl first.
Captain Shreyas Iyer said Delhi’s conditions influenced that choice.
Afghanistan also wanted to bowl, but they will now bat first.
Jasprit Bumrah returned to India’s team after missing recent cricket.
Sanju Samson played instead of young batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.
Afghanistan are officially hosting the series even though this game is in Delhi.
Afghanistan captain Ibrahim Zadran said Naveen-ul-Haq was not ready to play.
India captain Shreyas Iyer won the toss and chose to bowl first in the opening T20I at Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium.
Jasprit Bumrah, Nitish Kumar Reddy and Varun Chakaravarthy returned to India’s playing XI.
Sanju Samson replaced young batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who had impressed during India’s recent Zimbabwe series.
Afghanistan are the designated hosts for the series despite the match being played in India.
Afghanistan captain Ibrahim Zadran said Naveen-ul-Haq was not match-fit and would be considered for the next two games.
- Who
- India and Afghanistan, led by Shreyas Iyer and Ibrahim Zadran respectively.
- What
- The teams played the opening match of a three-game T20 International series, with India choosing to bowl first.
- When
- Sunday; the articles do not provide an exact date.
- Where
- Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi, India.
- Why
- India chose to bowl because of the conditions and its familiarity with playing in Delhi.
India’s Approach
Afghanistan’s Position
Choice at the toss
India’s Approach
India chose to bowl first, with Shreyas Iyer citing Delhi’s conditions and India’s experience at the venue.
Afghanistan’s Position
Afghanistan also wanted to bowl first, according to Ibrahim Zadran, but accepted the need to bat first after losing the toss.
- Match
- India vs Afghanistan, first T20 International
- Toss
- India won and elected to bowl first
- Venue
- Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi
- Series format
- Three-match T20I series
- India returns
- Jasprit Bumrah, Nitish Kumar Reddy and Varun Chakaravarthy
- India selection change
- Sanju Samson replaced Vaibhav Sooryavanshi
- Afghanistan absence
- Naveen-ul-Haq was not match-fit
