In an unprecedented feat, the Indian cricket team will play in the national capital, New Delhi, on Sunday (September 13) as the away team when they face Afghanistan in the first of three T20Is at the iconic Arun Jaitley Stadium.
All three games will be played at the same venue, with the second and third matches scheduled on Tuesday (September 15) and Thursday (September 17).
This is the maiden instance of the Indian team playing as the away team in any city in the country. Afghanistan are the home team in the series and this will mark the instance of them hosting India in a bilateral series in any format for the first time in history. Previously, all bilateral series between the two teams has been played with India as the home team.
Why India Are The ‘Away Team’ in the National Capital, New Delhi
As per the ICC Future Tour Programme (FTP), this is a home series for Afghanistan, with the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) as the host board. However, due to security reasons, no international cricket is played in Afghanistan.
Over the years, the Rising Asian giants have played all their home series away from Afghanistan, with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as their primary home venue. They have also played home games in India in the past in Greater Noida, Lucknow, and Dehradun.
The series against India will also mark the first instance of New Delhi being used as Afghanistan’s home venue.
What Will Change?
The most visible change will be the fact that India will use the visitors’ dressing room instead of the usual home dressing room at the venue. Meanwhile, the broadcasters of the series are those chosen by the Afghanistan ACB. Similarly, revenue from sponsors and ticket sales will also go to the ACB.