Rajiv Shukla confident India will sweep Afghanistan T20I series
Synopsis
BCCI vice-president Rajiv Shukla has publicly backed India to complete a clean sweep of Afghanistan on Thursday, with two identical seven-wicket wins already in the bag. Beyond the result, the final T20I doubles as an Asian Games audition — making it far more than a dead-rubber formality.
Key Takeaways
BCCI vice-president Rajiv Shukla predicted an India win in the third T20I against Afghanistan on Thursday at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, New Delhi .
India lead the series 2-0 , winning both games by seven wickets after chasing 157 and 160 respectively.
Sanju Samson (57) , Abhishek Sharma (39) , and Ishan Kishan (38*) powered India's chase in the second T20I.
Nitish Kumar Reddy and Arshdeep Singh shared five wickets between them in the second game.
The third T20I is also seen as a squad-assessment opportunity ahead of the Asian Games .
The Afghanistan Cricket Board hosted the Indian team for a dinner on Wednesday , where players shared experiences from the IPL .
Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) vice-president and Member of Parliament Rajiv Shukla has expressed full confidence that the Indian men's cricket team will win the third and final T20I against Afghanistan on Thursday, 18 September 2026, completing a clean sweep of the three-match series. Speaking on the sidelines of an event in New Delhi on Wednesday, Shukla said the series had gone 'very well' for the hosts.
Shukla's Assessment
'The series is going very well. We have already won the series, and we will win the third match as well,' said Shukla. His remarks come after India secured an unassailable 2-0 lead with back-to-back seven-wicket victories, both played at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi. The final match of the series will also be held at the same venue.
How India Dominated the First Two Games
India's dominance has been near-complete across both games. In the first T20I, they chased down a target of 157, and in the second, they overhauled 160 with minimal fuss — identical margins of seven wickets on each occasion. Afghanistan's batting offered only flashes of resistance: Rahmanullah Gurbaz registered a duck in both matches, while Ibrahim Zadran's 37 and a 48-run sixth-wicket stand between Mohammad Nabi and Rashid Khan helped Afghanistan reach 159/8 in the second game. Nitish Kumar Reddy and Arshdeep Singh shared five wickets between them to keep Afghanistan in check.
India's chases have been driven by calm batting performances. In the second T20I, Sanju Samson top-scored with 57, while Abhishek Sharma contributed 39 and Ishan Kishan remained unbeaten on 38 to seal the win comfortably.
What the Third T20I Means for India
With the series already secured, team management is expected to use the final match as a fine-tuning exercise ahead of the Asian Games. Fringe players may get additional opportunities to stake their claims, and the coaching staff will likely assess squad depth under match conditions. This is the third such series India have approached with a clinical, rotation-friendly mindset in recent bilateral assignments.
Team Bonding and Afghan Respect
Off the field, the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) hosted the Indian squad for a dinner on Wednesday, where players from both sides exchanged thoughts on their shared experiences in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Ishan Kishan spoke warmly about his time playing alongside Mohammad Nabi at Mumbai Indians, saying: 'I played with Nabi Bhai at the Mumbai Indians, and he helped me a lot during batting sessions. He would often share insights about planning and strategy, especially when facing different bowlers. One of the most impressive qualities about the Afghanistan team is their hunger and determination.' Opener Abhishek Sharma added that facing Afghanistan sharpens young Indian players because of the aggressive brand of cricket they play. Notably, several Afghan players are familiar opponents for their Indian counterparts from the IPL circuit, adding a layer of camaraderie to an otherwise competitive encounter.
What to Watch in the Decider
The third T20I at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Thursday will be watched for two things: whether India complete a clean sweep and whether any reserve players seize their moment ahead of the Asian Games selection process. Afghanistan, despite the scoreline, have shown individual talent that could still trouble a second-string Indian line-up if they click together on the night.
Point of View
The openers rotated without consequence, and the bowling has been efficient without being spectacular. For selectors eyeing the Asian Games, the third game is genuinely useful data. What it does not tell us is how this unit performs against higher-quality opposition in knockout conditions — Afghanistan's IPL-sharpened spinners have been neutralised far too easily for any durable conclusions about India's T20 readiness.
NationPress
17 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Rajiv Shukla say about India's T20I series against Afghanistan?
Rajiv Shukla, BCCI vice-president and MP, said on Wednesday that the series is going very well and that India will win the third match to complete a clean sweep. India had already secured the series with back-to-back seven-wicket wins in New Delhi.
When and where is the third India vs Afghanistan T20I being played?
The third and final T20I is scheduled for Thursday, 18 September 2026, at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi. It is the same venue that hosted the first two matches of the series.
How did India win the first two T20Is against Afghanistan?
India won both games by seven wickets — chasing 157 in the first match and 160 in the second. Sanju Samson (57), Abhishek Sharma (39), and Ishan Kishan (38*) starred in the second game's successful chase.
Why does the third T20I matter beyond the series result?
With the series already won, India are expected to use the final game to assess squad options ahead of the Asian Games. It offers fringe players an opportunity to make their case under competitive conditions.
What happened at the India-Afghanistan team dinner in New Delhi?
The Afghanistan Cricket Board hosted the Indian team for a dinner on Wednesday. Ishan Kishan spoke about his bond with Mohammad Nabi from their Mumbai Indians days, while Abhishek Sharma said playing Afghanistan benefits young Indian cricketers because of the aggressive cricket they bring to the contest.
