Afghanistan have requested a change in the T20I series dates, with talks ongoing with the BCCI
The revised schedule could be September 11, 13 and 14, replacing the original September 13, 15 and 17 dates
All three matches will be played in New Delhi, marking Afghanistan's first bilateral home series against India
The schedule for next month’s three-match T20I series between Afghanistan and India could undergo a late change, with discussions underway between the Afghanistan Cricket Board and the Board of Control for Cricket in India over advancing the fixtures by a few days.
While no final decision has been taken yet, the Afghanistan board has reportedly requested a revised schedule that would see the three matches played on September 11, 13 and 14 instead of the originally planned September 13, 15 and 17. All three games are scheduled to be held at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi.
The proposed alteration would also result in one of the matches being played on September 14, which coincides with Ganesh Chaturthi. The possibility of staging a game on the festival day had emerged earlier, with the Afghanistan board believed to be keen on the potential benefits it could bring in terms of television viewership and crowd attendance.
Why Are Afghanistan Seeking A Change In Schedule?
The ACB is understood to have approached the BCCI after considering requests from its stakeholders, along with the cultural calendar in India around the original dates. The revised window, particularly the possibility of a match on Ganesh Chaturthi, is being viewed as an opportunity to attract greater audience interest.
For now, however, the proposal remains under discussion, and the BCCI is yet to formally approve the revised itinerary. Any change will require both boards to finalise the new dates before an official announcement is made.
The series itself will mark a significant moment in the cricketing relationship between the two nations. It will be the first time Afghanistan host India in a bilateral series, although the matches will take place on Indian soil, with New Delhi serving as the venue for all three encounters.
A Unique Series With New Delhi At The Centre
With Afghanistan continuing to use India as a home base for several international assignments, the upcoming series adds another chapter to that association. A bilateral home series against India, however, would represent a first for the Afghan side.
The Arun Jaitley Stadium is set to host the entire three-match contest, making scheduling and crowd planning particularly important. If the proposed changes are accepted, the series could be compressed into four days, with matches on September 11, 13 and 14.
Until an agreement is reached, though, the original September 13, 15 and 17 schedule remains the official plan. The coming days could determine whether the Afghanistan-India series gets a new set of dates, and whether Ganesh Chaturthi becomes part of an unprecedented chapter in the two teams’ bilateral history.
