India seam-bowling all-rounder Shivam Dube has backed Afghanistan as 'a very good side' ahead of the opening match of the three-game T20I series at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on 13 September 2026, cautioning that every fixture in the series will test the hosts. The series marks the first time Afghanistan are playing a T20I series against India — though the matches are being held on Indian soil.

Dube's Assessment of Afghanistan

Speaking in a pre-match interaction with broadcasters, Dube offered a candid appraisal of the opposition. 'They are a very good side. It's going to be a very good three-match series. Every match would be a challenge for us, I think, and we'll accept,' he said.

The remarks reflect a growing respect within Indian cricket circles for Afghanistan's rapid rise in the T20 format, a team known for its wrist-spin depth and increasingly competitive batting line-up. This is not a series India can afford to treat as routine, Dube's framing suggested.

Dube on His Own Form and Mindset

The Mumbai-born all-rounder, who has emerged as one of India's most dependable finishers in T20 cricket, spoke warmly about his current run in the format. 'It's amazing. Life is always good. God is always kind to me and the BCCI and the coaches, the selectors, captain, everyone is supporting me. It looks good, and feels very confident on the ground. So I'm enjoying everything,' Dube said.

He underlined that contributing to India victories, rather than personal milestones, drives him. 'Whenever you contribute for your country and the country wins, that's always a special thing for any player who plays for the country,' he added. 'I always try and think that, okay, today is something I can do, I can help my team to do a little better than what they want. So this is always my thought, to be in a positive way and accept whatever the challenges are there.'

Eyes on 50-Over Cricket Too

Beyond the immediate T20I series, Dube revealed that he is actively working on adapting his game to the 50-over format. 'Definitely it's a different game because the T20s we play, we want to score runs. But when we played the 50-over game, we wanted to survive and score the runs in England,' he said.

'It's not a T20 game and the one-dayers are probably a different game. Probably a different mindset is needed and a challenge for fitness as well. So, working on everything, trying to get better in one-days as well and yes, want to be part of all these,' he concluded.

Series Context

The three-match T20I series between India and Afghanistan is a notable fixture in the bilateral calendar, given Afghanistan's increasing competitiveness at the international level. Hosting the series at the Arun Jaitley Stadium — a high-capacity venue in the national capital — underscores the commercial and cricketing weight both boards attach to the contest. With Shivam Dube and other key Indian players in strong form, the series is expected to draw significant viewership across the country.