Afghanistan vs India 2026, 1st T20I: Toss result and playing 11s for today’s match, umpires list and pitch report
- India won the toss and elected to bowl first against Afghanistan in the 1st T20I at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi. Captain Shreyas Iyer cited familiarity with local pitch conditions for the decision.
- Jasprit Bumrah returns to the playing XI following fitness work at the Centre of Excellence and will open the bowling with Arshdeep Singh, while Varun Chakaravarthy also rejoins the squad.
- Valuing experience over talent, Shreyas opted to open the batting with Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma, omitting 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi despite his recent Player of the Series accolade against Zimbabwe.
- Afghanistan enters the series under new white-ball captain Ibrahim Zadran, featuring Naveen-ul-Haq and Fazalhaq Farooqi in the pace attack alongside spinners Rashid Khan and Noor Ahmad.
- This three-match series marks the teams' first T20I encounter since the World Cup in February, with both sides seeking early momentum in the opening match.
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28 Articles
A large number of fans gathered at Delhi's Arun Jaitley Stadium to watch Vaibhav Suryavanshi bat. However, the "son of Bihar" didn't get a chance to play in the playing eleven in the first T20, leaving fans disappointed.
Why is Vaibhav Sooryavanshi not playing vs Afghanistan in 1st T20I?
India chose experience in the opening game, with Sanju Samson selected in the XI instead of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. Shreyas Iyer also confirmed that Washington Sundar and two other players were left out, making it clear that team combination was behind the decision.
India win toss, opt to bowl first against Afghanistan in 1st T20I; Bumrah returns, Sooryavanshi misses out - The Tribune
Star pacer Jasprit Bumrah returns to the Indian side for his first T20I appearance since IPL 2026, while Vaibhav Sooryavanshi misses out, with wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson coming into the XI despite Sooryavanshi’s impressive performances in the Zimbabwe T20I series.
Why Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Is Not Playing? Check IND VS AFG 1st T20I Toss Update And Playing XIs
India host Afghanistan in the first T20I of the three-match series. As Shreyas Iyer announced the playing XI, he mentions Vaibhav Sooryavanshi missing out. Know why he stays out along with the toss update and the playing XIs
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