India will welcome Afghanistan for a multi-format bilateral series in June 2026, featuring a one-off Test match followed by a three-match One-Day International series. The tour will mark another significant chapter in the growing cricketing relationship between the two nations.
Test Match in New Chandigarh
The red-ball fixture is scheduled to begin on June 6 at the newly developed stadium in New Chandigarh. The match will run until June 10 and will serve as a standalone contest outside the current World Test Championship cycle.
This encounter will be only the second Test meeting between India and Afghanistan. Their first and only previous Test took place in 2018, when India secured a dominant victory. The upcoming fixture will provide Afghanistan with another opportunity to compete in the longest format against one of the leading Test nations.
Interestingly, Tests in India during the month of June are rare due to seasonal conditions. This match will join a very short list of early-summer red-ball contests played in the country.
Three-Match ODI Series Across India
Following the Test, the teams will shift focus to the 50-over format. The ODI series will begin on June 14 in Dharamsala, followed by matches in Lucknow on June 17 and Chennai on June 20.
This will be the first full bilateral ODI series between India and Afghanistan. Previously, the two sides have faced each other in global tournaments such as the ICC Cricket World Cup and the Asia Cup, but not in a dedicated bilateral 50-over series.
The series provides valuable preparation for both teams as they continue building depth in white-ball cricket.
Packed International Calendar Ahead
The tour is scheduled shortly after the conclusion of the Indian Premier League, which wraps up at the end of May. For India, this series will be the first assignment following the ongoing T20 World Cup campaign.
Afghanistan, meanwhile, are expected to remain active after the global tournament, with additional international commitments lined up before traveling to India.
The June fixtures will also begin a busy mid-year schedule for India, as they are set to travel to England for a limited-overs series in July.
Growing Cricketing Ties
Cricketing relations between India and Afghanistan have strengthened steadily over the past decade. India has supported Afghanistan’s development in infrastructure and provided venues for their international matches. Regular bilateral contests now reflect the increasing competitiveness of Afghanistan on the world stage.
The upcoming series promises competitive cricket across formats and offers both teams an opportunity to test combinations ahead of a packed international season.
