India is hosting Afghanistan for a big cricket series in June 2026.
The Afghanistan Tour of India 2026 Schedule covers one Test match and three ODIs across four different cities. It’s a compact but important series for both sides.
BCCI officially confirmed the schedule on March 2, 2026. The announcement came from BCCI Honorary Secretary Devajit Saikia.
The series is titled the IDFC First Bank Afghanistan Tour of India.
Afghanistan Tour of India 2026 Schedule for Test & ODI Series
This is a big step for Afghan cricket. Getting to play a full Test and three ODIs in India puts them in front of one of the biggest cricket audiences on the planet.
Quick Summary:
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Tour Name | IDFC First Bank Afghanistan Tour of India |
| Formats | 1 Test, 3 ODIs |
| Dates | June 6–20, 2026 |
| Venues | New Chandigarh, Dharamshala, Lucknow, Chennai |
| Announced By | BCCI Honorary Secretary Devajit Saikia |
Key Highlights:
- One Test match at New Chandigarh (June 6–10)
- Three ODIs across Dharamshala, Lucknow, and Chennai
- Test starts at 9:30 AM IST; all ODIs at 1:30 PM IST
- Series officially titled IDFC First Bank Afghanistan Tour of India
- BCCI confirmed the schedule on March 2, 2026
Afghanistan Tour of India 2026 Fixtures
Here’s the full match-by-match breakdown. Four cities, four matches, two formats.
| Match | Date | Venue | Start Time (IST) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Test Match | June 6–10, 2026 | New Chandigarh | 9:30 AM |
| 1st ODI | June 14, 2026 | Dharamshala | 1:30 PM |
| 2nd ODI | June 17, 2026 | Lucknow | 1:30 PM |
| 3rd ODI | June 20, 2026 | Chennai | 1:30 PM |
The Test Match: New Chandigarh (June 6–10)
Why This Match Matters?
The Afghanistan Tour of India 2026 Schedule for Test Series kicks off in New Chandigarh. The match runs for up to five days, starting June 6 at 9:30 AM IST.
Afghanistan has played a limited number of Test matches since joining the format. Every game against a top-tier side like India is a chance to test themselves at the highest level.
New Chandigarh gives Afghanistan a neutral-ish setting. The pitch is unlikely to offer the extreme spin that some Indian venues carry, which could work in their favour depending on conditions.
What to Watch in the Test?
- Can Afghanistan’s spin attack trouble India’s top order?
- How will their batters handle India’s pace on a fresh pitch?
- Will the match go the full five days or produce a result early?
The ODI Series: Three Cities, Three Matches
Afghanistan Tour of India 2026 Schedule for ODI Series
After the Test, both sides switch to white-ball cricket. The three-match ODI series covers different parts of India, each with its own pitch personality.
- Dharamshala (June 14, 1st ODI) The HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala is one of the most scenic grounds in cricket. Situated in the Himalayas, it can assist pace bowlers with its cool conditions and lively surface. Afghanistan’s pacers may enjoy the challenge here.
- Lucknow (June 17, 2nd ODI) The Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow has a balanced surface. Matches here tend to be high-scoring. Expect batters from both sides to look for big totals in this one.
- Chennai (June 20, 3rd ODI) The MA Chidambaram Stadium is a spin-friendly venue. Chennai’s dry surface and afternoon heat will bring spinners into the game. Afghanistan has quality spin options and could fancy their chances here.
Expert Analysis
India’s Advantage is Clear, But Don’t Dismiss Afghanistan
India holds a big advantage in this series. Home conditions, crowd support, and a stronger squad depth all favour them. But Afghanistan isn’t a side you can ignore anymore.
Their spin bowling unit is among the best in the world. Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, and Mohammad Nabi have rattled top-order batters in all formats. On the right surface, they can change a game in ten overs.
In ODIs especially, Afghanistan has shown it can compete with stronger nations. Their batting lineup has grown more reliable. They’re not coming to India just to make up numbers.
The Test Format Suits India More
In Test cricket, India’s depth and experience at home is a major factor. Their pace attack, combined with quality spinners, makes them very hard to beat on Indian soil.
Afghanistan will aim to bat long and make India work for every wicket. Getting a draw from the Test would be a strong result for them. A win is possible, but they’d need conditions to swing heavily in their favour.
The Venues Tell a Story
Three different ODI venues mean three different challenges. Dharamshala favours pace. Lucknow rewards big hitting. Chennai suits spin. Afghanistan’s spin-heavy lineup could make the Chennai ODI a close contest.
India vs Afghanistan Head-to-Head Records and Comparison
| Format | Matches Played | India Wins | Afghanistan Wins | No Result/Draw |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| ODI | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| T20I | 7 | 6 | 1 | 0 |
India has dominated all previous meetings. But Afghanistan has been improving steadily. This series offers them a chance to shift that record.
Venue Guide: What Each Ground Offers
| Venue | City | Capacity | Surface Type | Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Chandigarh Stadium | New Chandigarh | 35,000+ | Balanced (pace-friendly early) | Test |
| HPCA Stadium | Dharamshala | 23,000 | Pace-friendly | 1st ODI |
| Ekana Cricket Stadium | Lucknow | 50,000 | Batting-friendly | 2nd ODI |
| MA Chidambaram Stadium | Chennai | 50,000 | Spin-friendly | 3rd ODI |
Practical Takeaways for Fans
- Tickets: Watch for BookMyShow listings as match dates approach. High-demand games in Lucknow and Chennai may sell fast.
- Live streaming: JioHotstar and JioStar are expected to broadcast all matches.
- Fantasy cricket: This series will be available on Dream11 and MPL Sports. Keep an eye on Afghanistan’s spin picks for the Chennai ODI.
- Schedules can shift: Always confirm timings on the official BCCI website closer to each match date.
FAQs
- What is the Afghanistan Tour of India 2026 Schedule?
The tour includes one Test match from June 6–10 in New Chandigarh and three ODIs on June 14, 17, and 20 in Dharamshala, Lucknow, and Chennai, respectively.
- When does the Test match start?
The Test begins on June 6, 2026, at 9:30 AM IST in New Chandigarh and runs until June 10.
- What time do the ODI matches start?
All three ODIs start at 1:30 PM IST.
- What is the official name of the series?
The series is officially called the IDFC First Bank Afghanistan Tour of India.
- Where can I watch the Afghanistan Tour of India 2026 live?
Star Sports and JioCinema are expected to broadcast all matches. Check official BCCI announcements for confirmed broadcast details.
Final Thoughts:
The Afghanistan Tour of India 2026 is a well-structured series spread across four cities. Each venue adds a different dimension to the cricket.
For Afghanistan, this is one of the biggest tours they’ll play this year.
A strong showing against India in familiar sub-continental conditions could push them up the ICC rankings and build real confidence ahead of future tournaments.
For Indian fans, it’s a chance to watch their side in a proper Test and a clean three-match ODI series before the busy international calendar picks up again.
Mark the dates. The Afghanistan Tour of India 2026 Fixtures run from June 6 to June 20, 2026, across some of India’s best cricket venues. It should be a series worth watching closely.
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