THEBUSINESSBYTES
BUREAU
MUMBAI,
SEPTEMBER 8, 2026
Sony Pictures
Networks India has acquired the exclusive television broadcast rights for the
much-anticipated three-match T20I series between Afghanistan and India, with
all three games scheduled to be played in Delhi on September 13, 15 and 17.
India, the world's
top-ranked T20I side, will be led by Shreyas Iyer in the series, which promises
to be an intriguing contest between two teams known for their aggressive brand
of cricket.
The Indian squad
features several established and exciting names, including Ishan Kishan,
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Sanju Samson, Tilak Varma and Varun Chakravarthy, while
premier fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah is set to be part of the line-up subject to
fitness.
Afghanistan, led by
Ibrahim Zadran, will rely heavily on its formidable spin attack spearheaded by
Rashid Khan. The side also boasts the likes of wicketkeeper-batter Rahmanullah
Gurbaz and Sediqullah Atal, besides experienced all-rounders Azmatullah
Omarzai, Gulbadin Naib and Mohammad Nabi.
The series will add
another high-profile cricketing contest to Sony Sports Network's ongoing
'Festival of Sports' offering.
"The
Afghanistan-India T20I series further strengthens Sony Sports Network's cricket
portfolio and adds another exciting contest to our ongoing 'Festival of Sports'
offering. Both teams play an aggressive and entertaining style of T20 cricket,
and the series promises three highly competitive encounters," Rajesh Kaul,
Chief Revenue Officer and Business Head, Sports and International, Sony
Pictures Networks India, said.
"We look forward
to bringing the action to cricket fans across India, Nepal, Maldives and
Bhutan," he added.
Afghanistan Cricket
Board CEO Naseeb Khan said playing in India was always special for the team,
given the country's immense passion for the sport.
"Playing in
India is always special, given the country's extraordinary passion for cricket.
This series provides an important platform to showcase Afghanistan's talent
against one of the strongest teams in world cricket," Khan said.
"We are confident that it will deliver competitive cricket, deepen the sporting ties between our two nations and reflect Afghanistan's continued progress on the international stage," he added.
With India aiming to underline its dominance in the shortest format and Afghanistan eager to make a strong statement against the world's leading T20I team, the three-match series is set to provide an action-packed start to the cricketing season in Delhi.
