Defending gold medallists, India kick off their Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games 2026 men’s cricket campaign at the Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin, Japan, taking on Afghanistan in a high-stakes quarter-final knockout clash.
While top-seeded India entered the tournament directly at the quarter-final stage, Afghanistan advanced out of Pool A to set up a rematch of the 2023 Asian Games final.
Team India, led by captain Shreyas Iyer, begins the event as heavy favourites, having assembled a powerful lineup of international talents. The Indian batting lineup has enormous explosive potential, with powerful strikers like Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan, Shivam Dube, and Tilak Varma. Aside from their heavy-hitting top and middle order, India have a world-class bowling assault led by Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh, as well as a varied spin department that includes Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, and Varun Chakaravarthy. In their first official encounter of the competition, the Men in Blue will try to adjust quickly to the circumstances in Nisshin and take swift control.
Afghanistan, led by Darwish Rasooli, enters the quarterfinals having already acclimated to Japanese conditions during their group round matches. The Afghan squad combines international experience in power hitter Najibullah Zadran and all-rounder Karim Janat with potential young players like Nangeyalia Kharoti, Ismat Alam, and wicketkeeper Mohammad Ishaq. Despite starting as underdogs against a full-strength Indian team, Afghanistan will depend largely on slow bowling and spin variations to confuse India’s explosive batters and try for a dramatic shock on their way to the medal rounds.
Head-to-Head:
Both sides have played 12 T20I matches against each other, with India dominating the matchup. The Men in Blue have an 11-game undefeated streak in T20Is against Afghanistan. India have won 11 of 12 matches, with one no result.
Where to watch:
OTT: SonyLIV
