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India and Afghanistan have developed an increasingly interesting international cricket rivalry despite having a relatively short history of playing each other. Their meetings have taken place across Tests, ODIs, and T20Is, with several matches becoming important milestones for Afghanistan’s growth as a full member of the international cricket community.
India have generally controlled the head-to-head record, but Afghanistan have regularly produced competitive performances through players such as Rashid Khan, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Mohammad Nabi, Ibrahim Zadran, and Azmatullah Omarzai.
The rivalry reached another stage in 2026 when Afghanistan toured India for a one-off Test and three ODIs. India won the Test by an innings and 300 runs and completed a 3-0 ODI series sweep.
Head-to-Head Record
India and Afghanistan have played international cricket in all three major formats. Their meetings have been particularly frequent in T20Is and ICC tournaments.
| Format | India Wins | Afghanistan Wins | Other Results |
| Tests | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| ODIs | 5 | 0 | 1 tie |
| T20Is | 11 | 0 | 1 no result |
| Overall | 18 | 0 | 2 |
India remain unbeaten against Afghanistan in completed men’s international matches.
The ODI rivalry has included one tied match, while the T20I record includes a no-result. Afghanistan have yet to record a completed international victory against India.
Test Matches
India and Afghanistan have played only two Test matches, but both have been important moments in Afghanistan’s Test development.
First Test in 2018
Afghanistan played their first-ever Test against India in Bengaluru in June 2018.
India dominated the match and won by an innings and 262 runs. Afghanistan’s introduction to Test cricket therefore came against one of the most experienced Test teams in the world.
Second Test in 2026
The teams met again in June 2026 at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur.
India declared on 564/8 after centuries from KL Rahul and Shubman Gill, while Afghanistan were dismissed for 152 and 112 in their two innings.
India won by an innings and 300 runs, setting their biggest Test victory by runs in terms of an innings margin. Manav Suthar claimed 6/33 on debut in Afghanistan’s first innings and was named Player of the Match.
India vs Afghanistan Test Scorecard
The 2026 Test produced several outstanding individual performances.
| Team | Innings | Score |
| India | 1st innings | 564/8 declared |
| Afghanistan | 1st innings | 152 |
| Afghanistan | 2nd innings | 112 |
| Result | India won by an innings and 300 runs |
India’s batting was led by Shubman Gill’s 126 and KL Rahul’s 100. Sai Sudharsan scored 81, while Rishabh Pant contributed 81. Washington Sundar remained unbeaten on 52.
Manav Suthar’s debut
Manav Suthar produced a memorable Test debut. The left-arm spinner took 6/33 in Afghanistan’s first innings and became only the fifth Indian bowler to take a five-wicket haul on Test debut.
His performance helped India take control of the match before Afghanistan were forced to follow on.
Washington Sundar’s bowling
Washington Sundar took 4/36 in Afghanistan’s second innings, while Kuldeep Yadav claimed three wickets.
Afghanistan were eventually dismissed for 112, completing India’s record victory.
ODI Matches
India and Afghanistan have met six times in men’s ODI cricket, including the 2018 Asia Cup, 2019 World Cup, 2023 World Cup, and the three-match 2026 series.
India have won five of those matches, while one ended in a tie.
| ODI Meeting | Result |
| 2014 Asia Cup | India won |
| 2018 Asia Cup | Match tied |
| 2019 World Cup | India won by 11 runs |
| 2023 World Cup | India won by 8 wickets |
| 2026 1st ODI | India won by 7 wickets |
| 2026 2nd ODI | India won by 170 runs |
| 2026 3rd ODI | India won by 9 wickets |
The 2018 Asia Cup tie remains one of the most memorable matches between the teams.
2018 Asia Cup Match
The 2018 Asia Cup meeting in Dubai ended in a dramatic tie.
Afghanistan scored 252/8, with Mohammad Shahzad producing a century at the top of the order.
India also scored 252, meaning neither side could separate themselves after 50 overs.
The match was significant because Afghanistan demonstrated that they could compete with a strong Indian side in a major ODI tournament.
2019 World Cup Match
India and Afghanistan met during the 2019 ODI World Cup in Southampton.
India scored 224/8, with Virat Kohli making 67 and Kedar Jadhav adding 52.
Afghanistan came extremely close during the chase but were eventually restricted to 213.
India won by 11 runs.
Mohammed Shami played a decisive role at the end of the match, taking a hat-trick in the final over to seal India’s victory.
2023 World Cup Match
The teams met again during the 2023 ODI World Cup in Delhi.
Afghanistan posted 272/8 after a strong batting performance.
India chased the target with considerable control, reaching 273/2 in 35 overs and winning by eight wickets.
Rohit Sharma produced one of the outstanding batting performances of the tournament, scoring 131 from 84 balls.
His innings included explosive powerplay hitting and allowed India to complete the chase well inside the allotted 50 overs.
2026 ODI Series
The 2026 ODI series marked Afghanistan’s first three-match ODI tour of India against the hosts.
India won all three matches.
First ODI
The opening match took place in Dharamsala and was shortened by rain.
Afghanistan scored 194 in 24.5 overs, with Rahmanullah Gurbaz producing a spectacular 102 from 51 balls.
India then chased the revised target and reached 195/3 in 22.5 overs to win by seven wickets.
Shubman Gill scored an unbeaten 84 and was named Player of the Match.
Second ODI
India dominated the second ODI in Lucknow.
India scored 402 before dismissing Afghanistan for 232.
India won by 170 runs, one of the largest margins in the ODI history between the teams.
Third ODI
The final ODI was played in Chennai.
Afghanistan scored 218, but India chased the target with ease.
India reached 224/1 in 28.4 overs and won by nine wickets, completing a 3-0 series victory.
T20I Matches
The T20I rivalry has produced more meetings than the Test and ODI contests.
India have remained unbeaten against Afghanistan in completed T20Is. The teams have also met in World Cups and bilateral series.
| Category | Record |
| T20Is played | 12 |
| India wins | 11 |
| Afghanistan wins | 0 |
| No Result | 1 |
The T20I record includes India’s three victories during the 2026 tour of Afghanistan. India won the first two matches by seven wickets before recording a 127-run victory in the third match.
2026 T20I Series
The three-match T20I series in Afghanistan provided another major chapter in the rivalry.
First T20I
Afghanistan scored 156/8.
India chased the target in 13.4 overs, reaching 157/3 and winning by seven wickets.
Second T20I
Afghanistan posted 159/8.
India again completed the chase successfully, reaching 163/3 in only 14.5 overs to win by seven wickets.
Third T20I
India produced their biggest T20I win against Afghanistan in the series.
India scored 221/7, while Afghanistan were dismissed for 94 in 14.1 overs.
India won by 127 runs.
The three results demonstrated India’s ability to control the series through both batting depth and bowling variety.
World Cup Matches
India and Afghanistan have faced each other at both ODI and T20 World Cups.
Their World Cup meetings have generally been competitive, particularly when Afghanistan’s bowling attack has been able to put pressure on India’s middle order.
2019 ODI World Cup
India won by 11 runs in Southampton.
2021 T20 World Cup
India produced a comfortable victory in Abu Dhabi.
2023 ODI World Cup
India won by eight wickets in Delhi after chasing Afghanistan’s 272/8.
The 2023 meeting was particularly memorable because of Rohit Sharma’s 131.
Asia Cup Matches
The Asia Cup has provided several important meetings between India and Afghanistan.
The 2018 Asia Cup encounter ended in a tie, while India have also played Afghanistan in other editions of the competition.
The tournament has been important for Afghanistan because it has allowed the team to compete regularly against established Asian sides.
For India, the matches have provided opportunities to rotate players while maintaining a strong international combination.
Most Memorable India vs Afghanistan Matches
2018 Asia Cup Tie
The 2018 Asia Cup match ended level at 252 after Afghanistan and India completed their respective 50-over innings.
2019 World Cup Thriller
India’s 11-run victory in Southampton was decided in the final stages, with Mohammed Shami producing a hat-trick in the final over.
2021 T20 World Cup
India responded strongly after an earlier difficult phase in the tournament and defeated Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi.
2023 World Cup
Rohit Sharma’s 131 powered India to an eight-wicket victory in Delhi.
2026 Test Match
India’s innings-and-300-run victory in Mullanpur became the biggest Test win in India’s history by innings margin. Manav Suthar’s six-wicket haul on debut was one of the major individual highlights.
2026 ODI Series
India completed a 3-0 ODI series sweep, including victories by seven wickets, 170 runs, and nine wickets.
Major Records
The rivalry has produced several notable statistical milestones.
| Record | Detail |
| First Test | 2018 |
| First ODI | 2010s |
| First T20I | 2010 |
| Test wins | India 2-0 |
| ODI wins | India 5-0, with 1 tie |
| T20I wins | India 11-0, with 1 no result |
| Highest ODI score by India | 402 in 2026 |
| Highest ODI score by Afghanistan | 272/8 in 2023 |
| Biggest Test victory | India by innings and 300 runs in 2026 |
| Memorable ODI tie | 2018 Asia Cup |
| Highest individual ODI score in recent meetings | Rohit Sharma 131 in 2023 |
| Afghanistan’s notable ODI score | Rahmanullah Gurbaz 102 in 2026 |
Batting Performances
Several batters have produced memorable innings in this rivalry.
| Player | Team | Performance |
| Rohit Sharma | India | 131 in 2023 World Cup |
| Virat Kohli | India | 67 in 2019 World Cup |
| Shubman Gill | India | 84* in 2026 1st ODI |
| KL Rahul | India | 100 in 2026 Test |
| Shubman Gill | India | 126 in 2026 Test |
| Rahmanullah Gurbaz | Afghanistan | 102 in 2026 1st ODI |
| Mohammad Shahzad | Afghanistan | Century in 2018 Asia Cup |
Rohit Sharma’s 131 in the 2023 World Cup remains one of the standout batting performances between the teams.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s 102 from 51 balls in the first ODI of the 2026 series was another exceptional innings, particularly because it came in a rain-shortened contest.
Bowling Performances
Bowling has been central to several important India-Afghanistan matches.
Manav Suthar
Suthar took 6/33 on his Test debut against Afghanistan in 2026 and later contributed to India’s record victory.
Mohammed Shami
Shami’s hat-trick in the final over of the 2019 World Cup match helped India defend a narrow total.
Rashid Khan
Rashid has been one of Afghanistan’s most important bowlers whenever the teams have met. His ability to take wickets in the middle overs has made him a major threat to India’s batting lineup.
Kuldeep Yadav
Kuldeep has also played important roles against Afghanistan, particularly when conditions have favored wrist spin.
Arshdeep Singh
Arshdeep has provided India with a left-arm pace option and has been particularly useful during T20I powerplays and death overs.
Key Indian Players
Rohit Sharma
Rohit has produced several significant innings against Afghanistan, including his 131 during the 2023 World Cup.
Virat Kohli
Kohli has been one of India’s most consistent batters across international cricket and has delivered important performances against Afghanistan.
Shubman Gill
Gill has become a major part of India’s top-order setup and was particularly influential during the 2026 Afghanistan tour.
Jasprit Bumrah
Bumrah’s pace and death-over skills make him an important option whenever India face Afghanistan in limited-overs cricket.
Kuldeep Yadav
Kuldeep provides India with a wicket-taking wrist-spin option in the middle overs.
Key Afghanistan Players
Rashid Khan
Rashid is Afghanistan’s most recognizable international cricketer and one of the most accomplished T20 spinners in world cricket.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz
Gurbaz is an aggressive opening batter who can change the momentum of a T20 or ODI innings quickly.
His 102 in the 2026 first ODI against India demonstrated his ability to score at an exceptional rate.
Mohammad Nabi
Nabi has provided Afghanistan with years of international experience as an all-rounder.
His off-spin and middle-order batting have made him a valuable player in white-ball cricket.
Ibrahim Zadran
Ibrahim is a technically strong top-order batter and an important part of Afghanistan’s ODI setup.
Azmatullah Omarzai
Omarzai provides Afghanistan with both batting and bowling options and has become an increasingly important all-rounder.
India vs Afghanistan Playing Conditions
The conditions can significantly influence matches between these teams.
In India, pitches can provide different challenges depending on the venue. Chennai can assist spin, while Dharamsala can offer movement and bounce for fast bowlers.
Afghanistan also have substantial experience playing on slow and spin-friendly surfaces, making their spin attack particularly dangerous when conditions are favorable.
T20 matches can be even more unpredictable because a single powerplay or middle-over spell can completely change the game.
The Growth of Afghanistan Cricket
The India-Afghanistan rivalry also reflects Afghanistan’s rapid rise in international cricket.
Afghanistan made their Test debut in 2018 and have since established themselves as a competitive white-ball team.
Their development has been supported by players who have gained experience in international tournaments and franchise leagues around the world.
India have often been an important benchmark for Afghanistan because matches against a major full-member team provide valuable experience in high-pressure conditions.
Future of the Rivalry
The two teams are likely to continue meeting in ICC tournaments, Asian competitions, and bilateral cricket.
The 2026 multi-format tour was particularly important because it expanded the rivalry beyond T20Is and ODIs to include a Test match.
Afghanistan’s continued improvement means future matches could provide increasingly competitive contests, particularly in T20 cricket where the influence of individual players can be substantial.
The teams also met in the 2026 Asian Games, where their men’s quarter-final was abandoned. Afghanistan’s official team page records the September 28 match as a no-result.
Final Thoughts
India and Afghanistan have developed a relatively young but increasingly significant international cricket rivalry.
India remain unbeaten against Afghanistan in completed men’s international matches, with victories across Tests, ODIs, and T20Is. Afghanistan have nevertheless produced memorable individual performances, including Mohammad Shahzad’s century in the 2018 Asia Cup, Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s rapid hundred in 2026, and several strong bowling displays from Rashid Khan.
The 2026 season added an important new chapter. India won the one-off Test by an innings and 300 runs, then completed a 3-0 ODI series sweep before winning all three T20Is of their tour of Afghanistan.
As Afghanistan continue to strengthen their international setup, future meetings with India should remain an important part of their cricketing development.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many times have India and Afghanistan played each other?
India and Afghanistan have met across Tests, ODIs, and T20Is. Their international rivalry has expanded considerably since Afghanistan became a Test-playing nation in 2018.
Has Afghanistan ever beaten India in men’s international cricket?
Afghanistan have not yet recorded a completed men’s international victory over India. India remain unbeaten in their completed Tests, ODIs, and T20Is.
What was the biggest India vs Afghanistan Test victory?
India defeated Afghanistan by an innings and 300 runs in the 2026 Test at Mullanpur. It became India’s biggest Test victory by innings margin.
What happened in the 2026 ODI series between India and Afghanistan?
India won all three ODIs. They won the first match by seven wickets, the second by 170 runs, and the third by nine wickets.
Who scored 102 against India in the 2026 ODI series?
Rahmanullah Gurbaz scored 102 from 51 balls in the first ODI at Dharamsala. His innings included eight fours and eight sixes.
