Afghanistan Begin India Preparations as Huge T20I Series Draws Closer

Afghanistan are back on the training ground, and this time there’s a pretty big challenge waiting for them.

India.

The Afghan team got their preparations underway in New Delhi on Friday ahead of the three-match T20I series, with the first game coming up on September 13.

It wasn’t exactly a perfect first day either. Rain delayed the session for a while, so the players had to wait before finally getting some work done at Arun Jaitley Stadium.

But once they got out there, the focus was pretty clear.

This is a big series for Afghanistan.

Ibrahim Zadran will be leading the side against India as Afghanistan’s full-time T20I captain, and although he’s still young, he has a lot of experience around him.

Rashid Khan is there. Mohammad Nabi is there. Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Noor Ahmad, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Azmatullah Omarzai — plenty of players who have already played on some of cricket’s biggest stages.

And honestly, Afghanistan going up against India doesn’t feel the same way it did a few years ago.

Before, India were the obvious giant and Afghanistan were the team trying to prove they belonged.

That gap has gotten smaller.

Afghanistan have beaten big teams, gone deep into major tournaments and built one of the most dangerous spin attacks in international cricket.

That spin battle might actually be the part to watch in Delhi.

Rashid, Noor and Mujeeb against India’s batting lineup.

If those three find their rhythm, especially through the middle overs, things could get uncomfortable pretty quickly.

There’s some good news on the pace side too. Naveen-ul-Haq is back with the national team after his injury, while Fazalhaq Farooqi gives Afghanistan another proven option with the new ball.

Of course, beating India in India is never simple.

They know these conditions. They have depth everywhere and they’ll be expected to win the series.

But Afghanistan aren’t coming to Delhi just to make up the numbers.

They have enough quality now to make this interesting.

Maybe very interesting.

The talking is almost done anyway.

Afghanistan and India meet in the first T20I on September 13 at Arun Jaitley Stadium.

Then we’ll find out just how ready Afghanistan really are.