Sony Sports Network has acquired the linear television broadcast rights for the upcoming Afghanistan versus India T20I series. According to reports, the deal was finalised on Thursday, August 13, with the popular broadcaster bagging the deal to televise the three-match series, set to run in September 2026 with all matches to be played in New Delhi.
Multiple reports in the media confirm that Sony Sports was not the only party at the table. JioStar and Zee Unite8 were also among the interested parties who had placed bids to get the same linear television package, leaving the race for TV rights open among three major broadcasters in India.
While the television picture has been settled now, FanCode has already secured the digital broadcast rights for the series, becoming the first streaming house to confirm a deal for this assignment. ITW Universe, which holds the overall media rights for the series, is brokering the television package separately from FanCode's digital agreement.
Meanwhile, the Afghanistan Cricket Board has now reached out to the BCCI, seeking a request to tweak the schedule of the three-match series by hosting either the first or the second T20I on September 14, which is the day of Ganesh Chaturthi, a widely celebrated festival in India. ITW Universe, the official global rights holder of the series, had earlier written to the ACB to check if the demand to change the schedule can be met.
“As a media rights and production partner deeply invested in the success of this series, ITW Universe respectfully requests the ACB to consider a modest but meaningful adjustment to the current schedule so that one of the three matches falls on Monday, 14 September 2026 — Ganesh Chaturthi,” ITW founder Bhairav Shanth said in a letter to ACB CEO Naseeb Khan, as quoted by Cricbuzz.
“Both options preserve a tight three-match window and require only a modest shift from the currently confirmed dates,” he wrote in his letter.
“Ganesh Chaturthi is one of the most widely observed and emotionally significant festivals in India — a day of new beginnings, devotion and collective celebration. By offering to stage a match on this date, the Afghanistan Cricket Board would be making a thoughtful and gracious gesture that goes beyond the playing field," he added.
"It would demonstrate respect for Indian culture and the sentiments of Indian cricket lovers and reinforce the spirit of goodwill that underpins the BCCI–ACB relationship,” Shanth concluded.
When and where will the Afghanistan vs India T20I series be played?
The three-match T20I series is scheduled for September 13, September 15 and September 17, 2026. All three matches will be held at Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi, giving the series between the two Asian powerhouses a single-venue format across its entirety.
The T20I leg forms part of a full three-format bilateral cycle between the two sides in 2026. India had already completed the ODI leg of that cycle in June 2026, defeating Afghanistan 3-0 to take an early lead in the series of series.
|
Match |
Date |
Venue |
|---|---|---|
|
First T20I |
September 13, 2026 |
Arun Jaitley Stadium, New Delhi |
|
Second T20I |
September 15, 2026 |
Arun Jaitley Stadium, New Delhi |
|
Third T20I |
September 17, 2026 |
Arun Jaitley Stadium, New Delhi |
How will fans watch the Afghanistan vs India T20I series?
Sony Sports Network and FanCode's confirmed linear TV broadcast and digital rights, respectively, mean fans will be able to stream all three matches online through the platform from September 13, 2026.