
The India National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team timeline is a fascinating story of modern international cricket. India, with a rich cricketing history, meets Afghanistan, whose rise from an Associate nation to a respected Full Member is one of cricket’s most inspiring stories. Over the past decade and a half, these two teams have squared up in Test, One‑Day Internationals (ODIs), and T20 Internationals (T20Is), producing memorable matches that reflect contrasting cricketing cultures and growing competitiveness.
In this article, we’ll explore the rivalry’s evolution, present exact stats and results, highlight standout players, and cover the T20 World Cup 2026 schedule for both teams making this a complete, well-researched resource.
Table of Contents
India vs Afghanistan: Head-to-Head Record
India has maintained a strong record against Afghanistan across all formats, but several matches have been closely contested. Afghanistan has shown significant improvement over the years, making even the one-sided contests exciting and full of memorable moments.
| Format | Matches Played | India Won | Afghanistan Won | Tied / No Result |
| Test | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| ODI | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 Tied |
| T20I | 9 | 8 | 0 | 1 No Result |
India National Cricket Team Vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Timeline: Origins And Early Encounters
Afghanistan has gradually improved in T20 cricket, making matches against India increasingly competitive and exciting. Despite India’s overall lead, several games have been closely contested, providing fans with thrilling finishes and memorable moments.
First Official Meeting — T20I (May 1, 2010)
The rivalry began with a T20 International at the ICC T20 World Cup 2010, where India won by 7 wickets. Afghanistan made its entry onto the top level of short-format cricket.
First ODI — Asia Cup (March 5, 2014)
India and Afghanistan’s first ODI clash occurred during the 2014 Asia Cup, with India winning comfortably, establishing early dominance in 50-over cricket.
Historic Test Debut — Bengaluru (June 14, 2018)
Afghanistan’s first-ever Test match was against India. India won by an innings and 262 runs, but the match marked a historic milestone for Afghan cricket.
One-Day Internationals (ODIs)
The first ODI between India and Afghanistan took place on March 5, 2014, during the Asia Cup, where India won comfortably. On September 22, 2018, they played a thrilling tied match in the Asia Cup, with India scoring 252/9 and Afghanistan matching it with 252/8. In the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019, India won by 11 runs when they met again. Their most recent ODI encounter was on October 11, 2023, in the ICC Cricket World Cup, where India chased a target of 273 and won by 8 wickets.
Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is)
In T20Is, India leads with 8 wins and 1 no result out of 9 matches. Highlights include:
- Virat Kohli 122 (Asia Cup 2022):* One of the most dominant batting performances.
- Super Over (Jan 2024, Bengaluru): India won a thrilling Super Over in a tied match.
- T20 World Cup 2024: India won by 47 runs in a Super Eight match.
These games showcase the short-format rivalry and Afghanistan’s growing competitiveness.
Notable Performances in the Rivalry
Batting Highlights
- Virat Kohli (India): 122* in T20I (Asia Cup 2022)
- Rohit Sharma (India): Century in 2023 ODI World Cup
- Mohammad Shahzad (Afghanistan): 124 in tied 2018 Asia Cup ODI
Bowling Highlights
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar (India): 5/4 in T20I performance
- Jasprit Bumrah & Arshdeep Singh (India): Key wickets in T20 World Cup 2024 match
- Ibrahim Zadran (Afghanistan): Strong middle-order batting in T20Is
ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 Schedule: India & Afghanistan
The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 will be held 7 February – 8 March 2026, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. Twenty teams are divided into groups, with the top two progressing to the Super Eight stage.
India T20 World Cup 2026 Group Stage
| Date | Opponent | Venue |
| 7 Feb 2026 | USA | Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai |
| 12 Feb 2026 | Namibia | Arun Jaitley Stadium, New Delhi |
| 15 Feb 2026 | Pakistan | R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo |
| 18 Feb 2026 | Netherlands | Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad |
Afghanistan T20 World Cup 2026 Group Stage
| Date | Opponent | Venue |
| 8 Feb 2026 | New Zealand | MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai |
| 11 Feb 2026 | South Africa | Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad |
| 16 Feb 2026 | United Arab Emirates | Arun Jaitley Stadium, New Delhi |
| 19 Feb 2026 | Canada | MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai |
Conclusion
The India National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team timeline combines historic moments, head-to-head dominance, and thrilling encounters. India leads across formats, but Afghanistan’s spirited performances and rapid rise in T20 and ODI cricket ensure competitive games. With both teams set to compete in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, fans can expect more exciting matches, record-breaking performances, and memorable cricketing moments that will enrich this growing rivalry.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. When did India and Afghanistan first play a T20I match?
India and Afghanistan played their first T20 International on May 1, 2010, during the ICC T20 World Cup 2010, where India won by 7 wickets.
2. How many ODIs have India and Afghanistan played against each other?
They have played 4 ODIs so far. India won 3 matches, and 1 match ended in a thrilling tie.
3. When did Afghanistan play its first-ever Test match?
Afghanistan made their Test debut on June 14, 2018, against India in Bengaluru, where India won by an innings and 262 runs.
4. What is the T20I head-to-head record between India and Afghanistan?
India leads the T20I encounters with 8 wins and 1 no result out of 9 matches, showcasing dominance in the short format.
5. When will India and Afghanistan meet in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026?
Both teams are part of the group stage in the T20 World Cup 2026, with India in Group A and Afghanistan in Group D. Potential encounters could occur in the Super Eight or knockout stages.







