Afghanistan captain Ibrahim Zadran won the toss and elected to field first against India in the third and final T20 International (T20I) at Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi today, Thursday, September 17. Abhishek Sharma created history as he slammed century in just 30 balls. Read full story here
India have made one change, bringing in Yash Thakur for Arshdeep Singh. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi remains outside the playing 11, with Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan retaining their places. Afghanistan have made two changes, including Noor Rahman and Abdullah Ahmadzai in their side.
Shreyas Iyer’s team will look to complete a clean sweep after taking an unassailable 2-0 lead. Afghanistan, the designated hosts despite the series being played in Delhi, will chase for the first time in the series as both teams prepare for the Asian Games.
India innings: Over-by-over update
Over 1: India 5/0 — Abhishek Sharma 4 (3), Sanju Samson 1 (3)
India began cautiously, scoring five runs without losing a wicket in Fazalhaq Farooqi’s opening over. The left-arm seamer started accurately, bringing one delivery back into Sanju Samson, who inside-edged it onto his body. Samson then punched a fuller ball to mid-off before steering the third delivery to deep backward point for a single. Abhishek Sharma defended Farooqi’s fourth ball to cover, but capitalised on a half-volley outside off next up, lifting it over extra cover for the first boundary of the night. Farooqi finished with a dot ball, leaving India at 5 for no loss after one over of play. Over 2: India 22/0 — Abhishek Sharma 20 (8), Sanju Samson 2 (4)
Abhishek Sharma launched a blistering attack on Azmatullah Omarzai as India surged to 22 for no loss after two overs. Sanju Samson began the over by cutting a short, wide delivery to deep point for one. Abhishek then swivelled across and struck a leg-lined ball over deep square leg for six. After swinging and missing at a short delivery angled outside off, he sliced the next ball down the ground for four despite not timing it cleanly. Omarzai responded with a dot ball, but Abhishek ended the over emphatically, launching the final delivery over deep extra cover for another six.
Over 3: India 45/0 — Abhishek Sharma 42 (13), Sanju Samson 3 (5)
Abhishek Sharma tore into Fazalhaq Farooqi as India plundered 23 runs from the third over to reach 45 without loss. Sanju Samson took a single from the opening delivery, bringing Abhishek on strike. The left-hander lofted a fuller ball straight down the ground for six, holding his pose after the clean hit. Anticipating a short ball next, he moved inside the line and helped it over fine leg for another maximum. Abhishek then pulled a slower short delivery past deep square leg for four before top-edging a well-directed bumper over short fine leg. He completed the over with two runs.
Over 4: India 56/0 — Abhishek Sharma 46 (15), Sanju Samson 10 (9)
Mujeeb Ur Rahman’s first over cost 11 runs as India powered to 56 without loss after four overs. He began well, beating Sanju Samson’s attempted pull with turn before forcing him to cut the next delivery to cover point. Samson then found his range, clearing his front leg and launching a tossed-up ball straight down the ground for his first six. He followed it with a single to long-on, bringing Abhishek Sharma back on strike. Abhishek mistimed a carrom ball towards mid-on but punished the final delivery, using the width to slice four over cover point. He finished on 46.
Over 5 summary: India 85/0 — Abhishek Sharma 62 (18), Sanju Samson 23 (12)
India hammered 29 runs from Mohammad Nabi’s first over, racing to 85 without loss after five overs. Sanju Samson greeted the off-spinner with consecutive sixes, first thumping a short ball straight back over his head and then launching a length delivery over long-on. He was dropped by Afghanistan captain Zadran at mid-off next ball, collecting a single that also took him to 9,000 runs in T20 cricket. Abhishek Sharma then blasted Nabi over long-on to complete his fifty, before cutting a short, wide delivery for four. He finished the onslaught by striking the final ball for six, finishing on 62.
Over 6 summary: India 100/0 — Abhishek Sharma 76 (22), Sanju Samson 24 (14)
India reached 100 without loss at the end of the powerplay after taking 15 runs from Rashid Khan’s opening over. Rashid began with a dot ball as Sanju Samson pushed a length delivery towards extra cover. Samson then collected a single by placing a fuller ball between extra cover and mid-off. Abhishek Sharma advanced down the pitch next ball but was beaten by the length and turn, with the delivery striking his body. He recovered emphatically, hammering consecutive fours through deep extra cover and sweeper cover. Abhishek then struck the final delivery over sweeper cover for six, completing India’s century.
Over 7 summary: India 109/0 — Abhishek Sharma 80 (25), Sanju Samson 29 (17)
India added nine runs from Abdullah Ahmadzai’s first over, moving to 109 without loss after seven overs. Sanju Samson began positively, hopping across and slapping a short, wide delivery to deep backward point for four. He guided the next ball straight to short third before pulling a slower delivery towards deep mid-wicket for a single. Samson considered a second run but was sent back. Abhishek Sharma then leapt and steered a short ball to short third for no run before ducking beneath a sharply rising bumper. He ended with four, pulling a cutter between deep mid-wicket and deep square leg.
Over 8 summary: India 124/0 — Abhishek Sharma 93 (28), Sanju Samson 31 (20)
India advanced to 124 without loss after eight overs as Mujeeb Ur Rahman conceded 15 runs from his second over. Sanju Samson cut the opening delivery to point for no run before drilling a slower ball to long-off for a single. Abhishek Sharma then rocked back and launched a short, drifting delivery over long-on for six, racing to 86 from 26 balls. He nudged the next ball past Mujeeb for one before Samson punched another single to extra cover. Abhishek finished the over by smashing a full delivery straight down the ground for six, moving to 93 from 28 balls.
Over 9 summary: India 134/0 — Abhishek Sharma 101 (31), Sanju Samson 33 (23)
Abhishek Sharma created history as India reached 134 without loss after nine overs, taking 10 runs from Abdullah Ahmadzai’s second over. Sanju Samson opened the over with a single before Abhishek struck a six to move within one run of his century. The left-hander reached his third T20I hundred from 30 balls with a push down the ground, recording the fastest century by a batter from a Full Member nation. He celebrated by removing his helmet and performing a meditation pose. Samson and Abhishek added two more singles before Samson guided the final delivery to short third for no run.
Over 10 Summary: India 142/1 after 9.5 overs — Sanju Samson 34 (25); Abhishek Sharma 108 (34), out
Rashid Khan ended Abhishek Sharma’s extraordinary innings just before drinks, having him caught behind for 108 from 34 balls. Abhishek began the tenth over by launching Rashid over long-on for six and then worked a delivery to deep mid-wicket for one. Sanju Samson added a single before Abhishek chased a googly outside off, attempting to loft it over extra cover. The ball took a thick outside edge and wicketkeeper Rahmanullah Gurbaz completed the catch. Abhishek reviewed the decision despite an audible edge, but UltraEdge confirmed a clear spike. His nine fours and 11 sixes took India to 142/1 at drinks.
Over 11 summary: India 152/1 — Sanju Samson 42 (28), Tilak Varma 2 (4)
India collected 10 runs from Mujeeb Ur Rahman’s third over, advancing to 152/1 after 11 overs. Sanju Samson signalled his intent by backing away and launching the opening delivery over long-off for six. He then inside-edged a short ball towards short fine leg for a single. Tilak Varma opened his account by tucking a flatter delivery to deep mid-wicket before Samson knocked another single towards deep extra cover. Mujeeb restricted Tilak with a fuller ball that was played back to the bowler, but the batter found one run from the final delivery, whipping it towards mid-wicket to retain the strike.
Over 12 summary: India 155/2 — Sanju Samson 44 (31), Shreyas Iyer 1 (2)
India lost their second wicket in Rashid Khan’s third over, which yielded only three runs and left them 155/2 after 12 overs. Tilak Varma tucked the first delivery left of the bowler and hesitated over a run. Rashid gathered the ball and hit the non-striker’s stumps directly, catching Tilak short for two from five balls. Shreyas Iyer arrived and played his first delivery to mid-wicket for no run before mistiming the next to long-off for one. Sanju Samson added singles through deep square leg and square of the wicket, while Rashid forced him to punch a dot ball to cover.
Over 13 summary: India 164/2 — Sanju Samson 50 (34), Shreyas Iyer 4 (5)
Sanju Samson completed consecutive T20I half-centuries as India scored nine runs from Mujeeb Ur Rahman’s final over to reach 164/2 after 13 overs. Samson began by moving leg side and striking a tossed-up delivery straight down the ground for four, beating long-on. He then flicked a length ball to deep mid-wicket for one. Shreyas Iyer deflected a short delivery to deep backward square leg before Samson calmly pushed another single to long-on to reach his fifty from 34 balls. Iyer collected two more with soft hands towards deep backward square leg, while Mujeeb finished his spell with a dot ball.
Where is the India vs Afghanistan third T20I being played today?
The third T20I between India and Afghanistan is being played at Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi.
Who won the India vs Afghanistan third T20I toss?
Afghanistan captain Ibrahim Zadran won the toss and elected to field first. India will bat first.
What time does the India vs Afghanistan third T20I start?
The match is scheduled to begin at 7:30 pm Indian Standard Time (IST) today, Thursday, September 17.
Which TV channel will show the India vs Afghanistan third T20I live?
Sony Sports Network will broadcast the match live in India. Fans can watch the live telecast on Sony Ten 5 HD and SD.
Where can fans watch India vs Afghanistan third T20I live streaming?
The India vs Afghanistan third T20I will be streamed live on FanCode.
Yash Thakur replaces Arshdeep; Sooryavanshi misses out
India have retained their batting combination, with Sooryavanshi continuing to wait for an opportunity in the series. Shivam Dube also keeps his place, while Thakur comes into the pace attack alongside Jasprit Bumrah.
India’s top order has driven two comfortable chases, with Abhishek leading the way in the opener and Samson’s 57 off 22 balls helping seal the series in the second match. The same batting group will now have the task of setting a target.
Iyer said batting first suited India’s plans and offered a different challenge.
“We would have batted first. It also gives us a fun challenge. It’s important that we stick to the moment and not complicate things. One change – Yash comes in for Arsh,” he said.
India have no fresh injury concerns following Varun Chakaravarthy’s withdrawal before the second match. Ravi Bishnoi retains his place, while Nitish Kumar Reddy continues to provide another bowling option.
India’s confirmed playing 11 for the third T20I
Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer (captain), Tilak Varma, Axar Patel, Shivam Dube, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Ravi Bishnoi, Yash Thakur and Jasprit Bumrah.
Afghanistan make two changes and opt to chase
Noor Rahman and Abdullah Ahmadzai come into Afghanistan’s playing 11, with Gulbadin Naib and Noor Ahmad missing out. Mujeeb ur Rahman retains his place alongside Rashid Khan in the spin attack.
Zadran said he expected some assistance for the bowlers early in the match.
“We are going to bowl first. We lost the toss in the last two matches. There will be some support for the bowlers at the start. We have lost the series but we have thought about the areas where we haven’t done well. India are one of the best teams. We want to keep things easier for us. We have two changes,” he said.
Afghanistan’s top order has struggled to establish momentum in the series. Early wickets and extended spells without scoring have left the middle and lower order trying to repair the innings.
Azmatullah Omarzai’s 64 helped Afghanistan recover from 43 for five in the opener. In the second match, Zadran’s 37 and late contributions from Mohammad Nabi and Rashid took them to 159, which again proved insufficient.
Having chosen to chase, Afghanistan will need their bowlers to contain India’s top order before their batters attempt to avoid another collapse.
Afghanistan’s confirmed playing 11 for the third T20I
Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wicketkeeper), Ibrahim Zadran (captain), Sediqullah Atal, Noor Rahman, Darwish Rasooli, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb ur Rahman, Abdullah Ahmadzai and Fazalhaq Farooqi.
India vs Afghanistan: Key match-ups and T20 statistics
Rashid’s contests with Abhishek and Iyer offer contrasting records. He has dismissed Abhishek twice in six T20 innings, but the left-hander has a strike rate of 237.77 against him. Iyer has been dismissed three times by Rashid, including in the previous match, and strikes at 120 against the leg-spinner.
Gurbaz faces another test against Bumrah, against whom he has a strike rate of 37.50. The Afghanistan opener is looking to recover after ducks in the first two matches.
Abhishek has a powerplay strike rate of 191.27 in T20 cricket since 2024, ahead of Travis Head’s 176.85 among batters who have faced at least 750 balls in that phase.
Tilak’s scoring rates also vary by bowling type. Since 2025, he has struck at 154.33 against pace and 116.97 against spin across T20 cricket.
Delhi pitch and weather conditions
Clear morning skies have given way to clouds in the evening, with high humidity. The pitch is expected to offer plenty of runs, although Zadran anticipates some early support for his bowlers.
India will look to build partnerships and maintain their scoring rate while setting a target. For Afghanistan, a stronger powerplay with the bat will be important when they begin their chase.
India vs Afghanistan T20I squads
India: Sanju Samson (wicketkeeper), Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer (captain), Tilak Varma, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Washington Sundar and Yash Thakur.
Afghanistan: Ibrahim Zadran (captain), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wicketkeeper), Sediqullah Atal, Gulbadin Naib, Darwish Rasooli, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad, Mujeeb ur Rahman, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Nangeyalia Kharoti, Abdullah Ahmadzai, Noor ul Rahman and Naveen-ul-Haq.
