IND vs AFG 2026: India vs Afghanistan 2nd Quarter-Final Preview, Squads, Time, Venue, Key Players & Live Streaming

The IND vs AFG 2026 second quarter-final of the Asian Games 2026 men’s cricket tournament is set to bring India and Afghanistan together in a high-profile knockout fixture at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin, Japan. The match is an important part of the men’s T20 cricket competition, with the winner progressing to the semi-final stage.

India enter the quarter-final at the knockout stage as a seeded team, while Afghanistan qualified for the last eight after finishing second in Group A. Afghanistan played their group-stage matches against Japan and Nepal, finishing behind Nepal in the group. India, meanwhile, received direct entry into the quarter-finals as one of the seeded teams.

The India vs Afghanistan 2026 fixture also carries additional context because the two sides were involved in the men’s cricket final at the previous Asian Games in Hangzhou. That 2023 final was affected by rain, with India taking the gold medal under the tournament’s applicable higher-seeding rule.

For the 2026 edition, however, the teams meet at the quarter-final stage, creating another important chapter in their Asian Games cricket rivalry.

According to the current Cricbuzz match listing, the fixture is scheduled for September 28, 2026, at 2:00 PM local time, 10:30 AM IST and 5:00 AM GMT at Korogi Sports Park. SonyLIV is listed as the streaming platform for Indian viewers, while Sony Sports Network is listed for television coverage.

For SilverExch readers, this detailed guide covers everything important about the IND vs AFG 2nd Quarter-Final, including match details, tournament background, complete squads, key players, team combinations, venue information, weather considerations, match officials, live streaming and the major factors to watch.

IND vs AFG 2026 Match Details

The following are the key details for the second quarter-final:

The current Cricbuzz listing confirms Korogi Sports Park as the venue and lists the start time as 2:00 PM local, 5:00 AM GMT and 10:30 AM IST.

Because weather has already affected cricket at the venue during the Asian Games, fans should also monitor official tournament and broadcaster updates before the scheduled start.

Asian Games 2026 Cricket: How India and Afghanistan Reached the Quarter-Final

The men’s cricket competition at the Asian Games 2026 features group-stage teams as well as seeded Full Member teams. Afghanistan competed in Group A alongside Japan and Nepal, while India entered the competition directly at the quarter-final stage.

The tournament structure meant that Afghanistan needed to progress through the group stage before reaching the knockout round. Afghanistan won against Japan but lost to Nepal, finishing second in Group A and earning a place in the quarter-finals.

India, on the other hand, were among the seeded teams and therefore did not have to play a group-stage fixture. The Indian men’s side entered directly into the quarter-final round.

This makes the IND vs AFG 2026 match particularly interesting because India come into the knockout stage without a competitive Asian Games group match, whereas Afghanistan already have tournament match experience in Japan.

India’s direct entry also reflects their status as one of the seeded teams in the competition. The Asian Games cricket schedule lists India among the seeded men’s teams, alongside Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

India vs Afghanistan 2026: Tournament Context

India are entering the men’s cricket competition as the defending Asian Games champions. India won the men’s gold medal at the Hangzhou Asian Games in 2023, while the women’s team also entered the 2026 competition as defending champions.

That history adds significance to India’s campaign in Japan.

Afghanistan, meanwhile, will be looking to make another deep run in the competition after reaching the men’s final in 2023. Their current squad is different from the Afghanistan side that featured several established names in previous international campaigns, giving this quarter-final a somewhat different character. Recent reporting has highlighted the absence of familiar Afghanistan names such as Rashid Khan, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Mohammad Nabi and Azmatullah Omarzai from this particular Asian Games squad.

The result is a contest in which both sides have different combinations and different routes into the knockout stage.

India Squad for IND vs AFG 2026

India have a strong squad for the Asian Games campaign, with Shreyas Iyer leading the team.

India Players

• Sanju Samson – Wicketkeeper
• Shreyas Iyer – Captain
• Abhishek Sharma
• Ishan Kishan
• Tilak Varma
• Shivam Dube
• Axar Patel
• Arshdeep Singh
• Ravi Bishnoi
• Jasprit Bumrah
• Washington Sundar
• Yash Thakur
• Vaibhav Sooryavanshi
• Vipraj Nigam

The current Cricbuzz match listing contains this 14-player match squad.

The squad provides India with several possible combinations. There are wicketkeeping options through Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan, attacking batting options through Abhishek Sharma and Tilak Varma, all-rounders such as Axar Patel and Washington Sundar, and a pace group led by Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh.

Shreyas Iyer

Shreyas Iyer has the dual responsibility of captaincy and batting. His role becomes especially important in a knockout game because he will need to make tactical decisions while also anchoring or accelerating the batting innings when required.

Sanju Samson

Sanju Samson is listed as the wicketkeeper and gives India an experienced T20 batting option. His role behind the stumps also means he can influence the game through catches, stumpings and communication with the bowlers.

Abhishek Sharma

Abhishek Sharma is one of India’s attacking batting options. His ability to score quickly can be useful during the powerplay, especially if India decide to use an aggressive opening approach.

Ishan Kishan

Ishan Kishan gives India another wicketkeeping option as well as left-handed batting variety. His presence provides additional flexibility when India decide their final playing combination.

Tilak Varma

Tilak Varma adds another left-handed batting option and can provide stability through the middle overs. His role could change depending on the match situation and India’s batting order.

Shivam Dube

Shivam Dube provides India with an additional all-round option. His ability to contribute with the bat and ball gives the team another way to balance its playing XI.

Axar Patel

Axar Patel can contribute in multiple departments. His left-arm spin can be particularly useful if the conditions favour slower bowling, while his batting provides additional depth.

Washington Sundar

Washington Sundar is another player who can contribute with both bat and ball. His off-spin gives India another variation in the bowling attack.

Ravi Bishnoi

Ravi Bishnoi gives India a specialist leg-spin option. On a surface that assists spin, his role could become particularly important through the middle overs.

Jasprit Bumrah

Jasprit Bumrah is one of the most experienced bowlers in the Indian squad. His pace, control and experience make him a major component of India’s bowling plans.

Arshdeep Singh

Arshdeep Singh provides left-arm pace and gives India a different angle from Bumrah. His ability to operate during the powerplay and later overs provides tactical flexibility.

Yash Thakur

Yash Thakur was brought into India’s Asian Games squad as a replacement for Harshit Rana. The BCCI announced the change on September 10, confirming Thakur’s inclusion in the Asian Games squad.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Vipraj Nigam

The squad also includes young players such as Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Vipraj Nigam. Their inclusion adds emerging talent to an otherwise experienced group.

Afghanistan Squad for IND vs AFG 2026

Afghanistan’s squad features Darwish Rasooli as captain and Mohammad Ishaq as wicketkeeper.

Afghanistan Players

• Mohammad Ishaq – Wicketkeeper
• Darwish Rasooli – Captain
• Mohammad Akram
• Hassan Eisakhil
• Karim Janat
• Faisal Shinozada
• Najibullah Zadran
• Nangeyalia Kharoti
• Abdullah Ahmadzai
• Faridoon Dawoodzai
• Arab Gul Momand
• Ismat Alam
• Farmanullah Safi
• Khalid Taniwal
• Imran Mir

The current Cricbuzz listing confirms these players in Afghanistan’s match squad.

Afghanistan’s group combines experienced players with younger cricketers. That balance was visible during the group stage, where Afghanistan secured a win against Japan before losing to Nepal.

Darwish Rasooli

Darwish Rasooli will captain Afghanistan and carry responsibility for both leadership and batting. His decisions will be important in managing the side through different stages of the knockout match.

Mohammad Ishaq

Mohammad Ishaq is the designated wicketkeeper. His responsibilities will include handling the wicket, supporting the bowlers and contributing with the bat.

Najibullah Zadran

Najibullah Zadran is one of Afghanistan’s more experienced batting options. His role can become particularly important in the middle and final stages of an innings.

Karim Janat

Karim Janat offers Afghanistan an all-round option. Players who can contribute in more than one department can be valuable in T20 cricket because they allow captains to maintain greater flexibility.

Nangeyalia Kharoti

Nangeyalia Kharoti gives Afghanistan another bowling option and can contribute to controlling the middle overs.

Arab Gul Momand

Arab Gul Momand is another Afghanistan bowling option to watch. Recent reporting noted his four-wicket performance against Japan during the group stage.

IND vs AFG 2026 Key Players to Watch

India’s Batting Group

India have several players capable of changing the tempo of an innings. Abhishek Sharma can provide an attacking start, while Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan and Tilak Varma offer further batting depth.

Shreyas Iyer’s role will be particularly important because the captain may need to adjust his approach according to the match situation.

India’s Bowling Attack

India have a mixture of pace and spin. Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh provide the main pace options, while Axar Patel, Washington Sundar and Ravi Bishnoi give India multiple spin choices.

This variety could allow India to alter their bowling plan depending on the pitch and weather.

Afghanistan’s Batting

Afghanistan’s batting group includes Darwish Rasooli, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Ishaq and Karim Janat. The side will need contributions from several players if it wants to build a competitive total.

Afghanistan’s Spin Options

Spin is traditionally an important part of Afghanistan’s cricket identity, and their Asian Games squad contains several players capable of bowling spin.

The conditions at Korogi Sports Park could therefore make the battle between India’s batters and Afghanistan’s spin options one of the areas worth following.

IND vs AFG 2026 Head-to-Head Context

India have historically held the stronger record against Afghanistan in men’s international cricket. Current match listings from Times of India show India leading the overall T20I head-to-head record, while other current reports cite India’s unbeaten record against Afghanistan in men’s international cricket.

However, head-to-head statistics from previous international matches should be treated as historical context rather than a direct indication of what will happen in this quarter-final.

The Asian Games squads are not identical to the teams used in every previous bilateral series. Afghanistan in particular have a different combination for this tournament.

IND vs AFG 2026 Date and Time

The match is scheduled for September 28, 2026.

According to the current Cricbuzz listing:

• Japan local time: 2:00 PM
• India time: 10:30 AM IST
• GMT: 5:00 AM

There are conflicting timings in some media listings, with some reports currently showing 10:00 AM IST. Therefore, readers should verify the latest official broadcaster listing immediately before the match.

For this SilverExch article, the primary match listing information supplied for the fixture is 10:30 AM IST.

IND vs AFG 2026 Venue: Korogi Sports Park, Nisshin

The second quarter-final is scheduled at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin, Japan.

The venue is hosting the men’s cricket competition during the Asian Games. The men’s tournament began with group-stage fixtures on September 24, followed by the quarter-finals on September 28 and 29. The semi-finals are scheduled for October 1, with the bronze-medal match and final scheduled for October 3.

For India, the venue is particularly relevant because the team has had limited competitive tournament cricket in the Japanese conditions before the quarter-final.

India did play a short practice-style T20 contest against Japan before the Asian Games, giving the squad some exposure to the local conditions.

Weather and Playing Conditions at Korogi Sports Park

Weather could be one of the most important external factors surrounding the IND vs AFG 2026 quarter-final.

Rain has already disrupted matches at the venue during the Asian Games. Current reports on September 28 highlighted a rain threat around Nisshin and the possibility of interruptions to the cricket schedule.

The weather can influence several aspects of T20 cricket.

A wet outfield can make fielding more difficult and can delay the start or continuation of play. Meanwhile, a damp surface may also affect bowling conditions and the way the ball behaves.

Both teams will therefore need to remain prepared for changes in conditions.

What Happens If IND vs AFG Is Affected by Rain?

The knockout rules make the weather situation particularly important.

Current reporting states that if the India-Afghanistan quarter-final is completely washed out and no result can be achieved, the higher-seeded team advances under the tournament’s knockout rules. India are the seeded Full Member side in this quarter-final.

This rule also became relevant in the first men’s quarter-final, where Pakistan advanced after the match against Hong Kong was washed out.

Therefore, fans should keep an eye on both the weather and official tournament announcements throughout match day.

IND vs AFG 2026 Live Streaming in India

Indian viewers can follow the IND vs AFG live streaming coverage on SonyLIV through its app and website.

The match is also listed for television broadcast on Sony Sports Network. Current reports also mention coverage across Sony’s sports channels and regional-language options.

Because the weather may affect the schedule, viewers should check the latest SonyLIV and Sony Sports Network listings before the scheduled start.

Readers looking for additional cricket-related information can also explore SilverExch Live Cricket ID for related cricket content.

IND vs AFG 2026 Match Officials

The officials listed for the match are:

• Umpire: Gazi Sohel
• Umpire: Prageeth Rambukwella
• Third Umpire: Viswanadan Kalidas
• Match Referee: Kamran Chaudary

The two on-field umpires will manage the match on the ground, while the third umpire will assist with decisions requiring video review. The match referee oversees the broader conduct of the fixture.

Key Battles to Watch in IND vs AFG 2026

Indian Batters vs Afghanistan Spin

One of the major tactical battles could be India’s batting against Afghanistan’s spin resources.

India have several aggressive batters who will want to score quickly, while Afghanistan can use spin to control the middle overs.

Afghanistan Batters vs Indian Pace

Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh provide India with two different left/right pace combinations.

Afghanistan’s top and middle order will need to manage India’s pace attack during both the early and closing phases of the innings.

Middle Overs

The middle overs could determine the tempo of the game.

India have Axar Patel, Washington Sundar and Ravi Bishnoi as spin resources, while Afghanistan also have bowling options capable of operating in this phase.

Death Overs

The final five overs could produce significant changes in the scoreboard.

India have experienced options such as Bumrah and Arshdeep, while Afghanistan will need to identify their most reliable death-over combination.

IND vs AFG 2026: India’s Possible Approach

India have several ways to construct their playing XI.

A combination featuring multiple top-order batters could allow the team to attack early. Alternatively, India can strengthen their all-round options by including players such as Axar Patel and Washington Sundar.

The bowling combination can also be adjusted according to the surface. If the pitch assists spin, India have multiple spin options. If pace is more effective, Bumrah and Arshdeep provide a strong foundation for the attack.

The final XI will ultimately depend on team selection and match conditions.

IND vs AFG 2026: Afghanistan’s Possible Approach

Afghanistan also have flexibility within their squad.

Darwish Rasooli can lead the batting group, while Najibullah Zadran and Karim Janat offer experience. The team can also rely on younger players to provide energy and variation.

Their bowling combination could be especially interesting if the surface slows down.

Afghanistan’s ability to control the middle overs while preventing India from scoring freely could become an important part of their game plan.

Why IND vs AFG 2026 Is Important for Cricket Fans

The match brings together two teams with different tournament journeys.

India have entered directly at the quarter-final stage because of their seeding, while Afghanistan had to compete in Group A before reaching the knockout stage.

The fixture also connects to the previous Asian Games because India and Afghanistan met in the 2023 men’s final, which ended without a full contest because of rain. India received the gold medal under the competition’s seeding rules.

This time, both teams will be looking to progress further in the 2026 competition.

Follow More Cricket Content on SilverExch

SilverExch readers can continue following cricket-related content, match previews, schedules and tournament information throughout the Asian Games 2026 campaign.

For additional cricket content, readers can visit SilverExch Cricket99 and explore related cricket information.

You can also read the broader Cricket Betting guide for cricket-related information.

These links should be used as supporting resources, while official tournament and broadcaster sources remain the best place to confirm final playing XIs, timings and last-minute schedule changes.

IND vs AFG 2026: Complete Match Checklist

Before the match begins, cricket fans should keep the following information in mind:

Match: India vs Afghanistan
Stage: 2nd Quarter-Final
Tournament: Asian Games 2026
Date: September 28, 2026
Venue: Korogi Sports Park, Nisshin
India Captain: Shreyas Iyer
Afghanistan Captain: Darwish Rasooli
Listed India Time: 10:30 AM IST
Listed Local Time: 2:00 PM
Streaming: SonyLIV
TV: Sony Sports Network

Weather is also an important factor, with rain already affecting the tournament at the venue. Fans should therefore check the latest match status before the scheduled start.

IND vs AFG 2026 Final Preview

The IND vs AFG 2026 second quarter-final brings together India’s seeded side and an Afghanistan team that progressed from Group A.

India have a deep squad featuring Shreyas Iyer, Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh.

Afghanistan will be led by Darwish Rasooli and have players such as Mohammad Ishaq, Najibullah Zadran, Karim Janat, Nangeyalia Kharoti and Arab Gul Momand in their squad.

The match is scheduled at Korogi Sports Park, where weather conditions could have an important role. Rain has already caused disruption at the venue, so the playing conditions and latest match status will be worth monitoring closely.

For Indian viewers, SonyLIV is listed for live streaming and Sony Sports Network for television coverage.

With a semi-final place on the line, the contest will involve several important battles across batting, bowling, spin, pace, fielding and game management.

For all the latest cricket-related information, match updates and tournament coverage, stay connected with SilverExch.

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