India to play Japan in T20 match; broadcast and team information

India has taken a 2-0 lead in the three-match T20 series against Afghanistan. The third and final match is scheduled for September 17 (Thursday) at Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi. Following the securing of victory in the series, the probability of changes in the Indian team's squad increases.

15-year-old Vaivava Suryavanshi was not in India's starting lineup in the first two T20 matches. In the first match, Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma batted at the top order, and the Indian team retained the same starting six in the second match.

After the game, Shreyas Iyer stated that the team aims to give all players an opportunity to adapt to the field and conditions, as well as gain experience from practice matches. Therefore, there is a possibility of giving a chance to players who have been outside the squad so far, and some changes in the team combination may also occur.

Thus, the path is open for 'Baby Boss' to get a chance to play in the third T20 match. Previously, Vaivava demonstrated excellent performance in the T20 series against Zimbabwe, winning the 'Player of the Series' title with 151 runs. Despite this, he had to remain on the bench in the first two matches against Afghanistan.

Now all attention is focused on the match on September 17. If the team management decides to make changes, Vaivava may get his first chance to play an international T20 match in India.

Currently, Vaivava has scored 193 runs in 6 matches for India, with an average strike rate of 189.21, including two half-centuries. In these six games, Vaivava hit 16 fours and 14 sixes.

The second T20 match in the series between India and Afghanistan is scheduled for September 15 (Tuesday). In the first game, the Indian team achieved a convincing victory over Afghanistan by a score of 7 wickets to 0, giving them an advantage in the series.

Before the second confrontation, the team's squad (Playing-11) is actively being discussed. There is a question about the possible exclusion of Sanju Samson. In the first T20, Sanju Samson was in the starting lineup but managed only 10 points across 8 matches.

Therefore, there is a discussion about whether the team management might consider replacing Sanju with the young Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who was not in the first T20 squad, where Sanju was prioritized.

Nevertheless, it is expected that the team management will still give Sanju Samson another chance in the second match.

Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who is 15 years old, has attracted significant attention due to his recent performances. The decision to include him in the second T20 will be a significant choice for the Indian team. If Vaibhav is included, he could start alongside Abhishek Sharma, and Ishan Kishan might be entrusted with the wicket-keeping role.

Previously, Vaibhav was named 'Player of the Series' during the visit to Zimbabwe. In July 2026, he scored a total of 151 runs in three matches in Zimbabwe.

In the first T20, India reached a target of 157 runs in just 13.4 overs. Abhishek Sharma demonstrated a powerful performance, scoring 82 runs off 32 balls, while Ishan Kishan added 42 runs.

In the second T20, Washington Sundar may be included in the Indian team instead of Nitish Kumar Reddy. Nitish Kumar Reddy bowled 2 overs in the first T20, conceding 30 runs. Additionally, there is a possibility that Ravi Bishnoi will replace the injured Varun Chakravarthy.

Now India aims to win the second match and secure the series. Cricket fans are watching to see if Sanju gets another chance or if Vaibhav Suryavanshi returns to the Indian squad.

The projected Indian squad includes: Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wicketkeeper), Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer, Tilak Verma, Washington Sundar, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshad Singh, and Ravi Bishnoi. The projected Afghan squad includes: Ibrahim Jadaran (captain), Rahmanullah Gurgaz (wicketkeeper), Sedikulakh Attal, Darwish Rasuli, Ajmatullah Umarji, Gulbaddin Naib, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Mujib Ur Rahman, Nur Ahmed, and Fazlhaq Faruqi.

Matches between the Indian and Afghan teams will take place in the Arun Jaitley Stadium in the capital of India as part of the 2026 friendly cup. Prior to this, India suffered defeats in tours against Ireland and England, although the team managed to regain some momentum in Zimbabwe.

The Indian squad aims to start the series with a victory against Afghanistan. The team is led by strong batter Shreyas Iyer, and young talent Tilak Verma serves as vice-captain. The team is ready to break through the opponents' defense thanks to the trio of Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, and Yash Thakur.

Experienced batter-bowler Sanju Samson and magic spinner Varun Chakravarthy have returned to the squad, having been absent during the visit to Zimbabwe.

All attention is focused on the 15-year-old super-talent Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who achieved a historic feat by scoring a half-century in 18 matches against Zimbabwe. In the previous tour, he won the 'Player of the Series' title by scoring 81 runs in 49 matches.

The Afghanistan team intends to change its fate in this T20 series after losing both the test and ODI series to India in June. Ibrahim Jadaran is ready for his first major challenge as the full-fledged T20 captain. Additionally, fast bowler Naveen-ul-Haq has returned to the team after recovering from injury.

Players such as Rashid Khan, Rehmanullah Gurgaz, Nur Ahmed, Mohammed Nabi, and Gulbadin Naib are well acquainted with Indian pitches and capable of changing the course of the match at any moment.

In T20 history, India has completely dominated Afghanistan. Out of nine encounters between them, India has won eight times, and one match ended in a draw. Afghanistan is still searching for its first victory over India in the T20 format.

Indian Team: Shreyas Iyer (Captain), Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Sanju Samson (Wicketkeeper), Ishan Kishan, Tilak Verma, Shivam Dube, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Varun Chakravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Yash Thakur.

Afghan Team: Ibrahim Jadaran (Captain), Rehmanullah Gurgaz (Wicketkeeper), Nur Rehman, Sedikullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Ajmatullah Umrazai, Gulbadin Naib, Mohammed Nabi, Rashid Khan, Nangyal Haroti, Nur Ahmed, Mujib Ur Rehman, Fazlhaq Faruqi, Abdullah Ahmadzai, Naveen-ul-Haq.