The timeline of India national cricket team vs Afghanistan national cricket team is an interesting tale of a mega power in the sport taking on one of the teams fastest climbing to world cricket fame and stardom. Up until now, this fixture has been one-sided with India winning most of the matches but Afghanistan has put their stamp on the big stage through fearless performances, having some genuine world-class spinners at their disposal and proving just how quickly they have risen in international cricket.
This timeline charts out the highlights of their rivalry from their first meeting in international cricket to the ongoing India vs Afghanistan 2026 series.
India vs Afghanistan Head to Head Record
| Format | Matches | India Won | Afghanistan Won | Draw/Tie/NR |
| Tests | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| ODIs | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 |
| T20Is | 9 | 8 | 0 | 1 |
India National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Timeline
2014 – First ODI Meeting
India-Afghanistan met for the first time in an official ODI during the 2014 Asia Cup.
- Venue: Mirpur, Bangladesh
- Result: India defeated by 8 wickets
- Afghanistan, too, found some positives despite facing a vastly superior Indian side.
This was the match where Afghanistan had arrived on the big stage.
Historic First Test Match 2018
The day when Afghanistan played its first Test against India was one of the biggest days in Afghanistan cricket history.
India vs Afghanistan Test 2018
- Venue: Bengaluru
- Afghanistan’s First Test Match
- India won by an innings and 262 runs
Afghanistan became the twelfth nation to play Test cricket, making this match historic India assisted the Afghanistan cricket team by inviting them to play a match and helping in their bid for Test playing status.
Key performers:
- Shikhar Dhawan scored a century.
- Here to give some good confidence to Murali Vijay who also scored a hundred.
- The Indian bowlers annihilated the Afghanistan batting.
2018 – Asia Cup Thriller Ends in a Tie
The rivalry featured one of its most iconic matches in the 2018 Asia Cup.
Asia Cup Match, India vs Afghanistan
- Venue: Dubai
- Result: Tie
India came as close as ever to losing to Afghanistan for the first time.
Highlights:
- Afghanistan posted a competitive total.
- India fielded several young players.
- It ended in a thrilling draw.
It is still Afghanistan’s best performance against India in international cricket.
2019 – ICC Cricket World Cup Classic
Afghanistan challenged India on the edge during the 2019 ICC Cricket world cup.
India vs Afghanistan World Cup 2019
- Venue: Southampton
- Result: India won by 11 runs
Key moments:
- India scored 224/8.
- Afghanistan nearly chased the target.
- Mohammed Shami completed a hat-trick in the last over.
Cricket pundits have rated this as one of Afghanistan’s better performances against India.
2021 – T20 World Cup Clash
The two teams played in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
- Venue: Abu Dhabi
- India won comfortably.
- India scored over 200 runs.
Notable performers:
- Rohit Sharma
- KL Rahul
India went on to finish the tournament well with the win.
2022 – Asia Cup Encounter
India and Afghanistan faced each other again in the Asia Cup.
Virat Kohli’s Historic Century
The match became memorable because:
- Virat Kohli remained unbeaten on 122.
- It was his first international ton in nearly three years.
- India won convincingly.
Even today, many fans consider this one of the most heartbreaking moments in modern Indian cricket.
2023 – ODI World Cup Meeting
The two sides met in India at the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023.
- Venue: Delhi
- Afghanistan set a total for India to chase down comfortably.
- Afghanistan made far better use of the bat.
Key performers included:
- Rohit Sharma
- Jasprit Bumrah
2024 – Three-Match T20I Series
India hosted Afghanistan for a three-match T20I series.
Series Result
- India won 3-0.
The third T20I by far was the biggest highlight.
Double Super Over Thriller
It delivered perhaps the finest T20 match of all time in its final straw.
- Match tied after 20 overs.
- First Super Over also tied.
- India triumphed in the second Super Over.
The contest highlighted Afghanistan’s increasing capacity to compete with elite sides.
Current Series: India vs Afghanistan 2026
Afghanistan tour of India 2026: The new entry in the history of contests between Afghanistan national cricket team and India national cricket team.
| Match | Date | Venue |
| One-off Test | June 6–10, 2026 | New Chandigarh |
| 1st ODI | June 14, 2026 | Dharamshala |
| 2nd ODI | June 17, 2026 | Lucknow |
| 3rd ODI | June 20, 2026 | Chennai |
Greatest Players in India vs Afghanistan Matches
India
- Virat Kohli
- Rohit Sharma
- Mohammed Shami
- Jasprit Bumrah
Afghanistan
- Rashid Khan
- Mohammad Nabi
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz
- Hashmatullah Shahidi
Conclusion
Timeline of India national cricket team vs Afghanistan national cricket team which is the impressive flight of Afghanistan in world cricket Even as India have a remarkable record to defend, Afghanistan – ever-improving and more than holding their own over 5 years – have pitched in some of the most memorable contests here: from the Asia Cup tie in 2018 to the double Super Over game in 2024.
The rivalry now enters a new phase with the current India vs Afghanistan 2026 series underway. While India is still one of the world’s top nations, Afghanistan are working towards being a cricketing powerhouse among formats. These ensure that the next few years will write far more thrilling chapters in this burgeoning cricket rivalry.
FAQs
When did India and Afghanistan play their first international match?
India and Afghanistan first met in an ODI during the 2014 Asia Cup.
Has Afghanistan ever defeated India in international cricket?
No, Afghanistan has not yet defeated India in an official international match, though they have recorded a tie in both ODI and T20I cricket.
How many Test matches have India and Afghanistan played?
They have played two Test matches, including the ongoing 2026 Test in New Chandigarh.
What is the biggest highlight of the India vs Afghanistan rivalry?
The 2018 Asia Cup tie and the 2024 double Super Over T20I are widely regarded as the most thrilling matches between the two teams.
What is the schedule of the India vs Afghanistan 2026 series?
The tour includes one Test match (June 6–10) and three ODIs (June 14, 17, and 20).
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