India set to host Afghanistan for three-match T20I series

Indian-Team. (Photo by PUNIT PARANJPE/AFP via Getty Images)

After ending their ODI World Cup 2023 campaign with heartbreak, Team India will be shifting their focus onto the upcoming assignments. It was announced that the Men in Blue will be taking on Afghanistan in a three-match T20I series.

This will be the first time India will face Afghanistan in a series in limited overs, and the three-game series will be held in January 2024. Mohali, Indore, and Bengaluru will be hosting the T20I series – in that order, starting January 11 till 17.

It is worth noting that India and Afghanistan have never played against each other in white-ball cricket outside of the ICC and ACC tournaments. Both sides did take on each other in a one-off test match in 2018.

After their World Cup campaign, the Indian team has several international assignments. The side will be taking on Australia in a five-match T20I series that is scheduled to begin on November 23.

India look to recoup after World Cup heartbreak

The Indian team will be desperate to get some wins on the board after their heartbreak in the recently concluded ODI World Cup 2023. India hosted the prestigious tournament and went unbeaten throughout the group stages of the competition.

Winning nine out of nine games, the side became the first team to qualify for the knockout stages of the World Cup. Furthermore, India broke their curse against the Kiwis and defeated New Zealand in the first semi-final as well. They made it to the summit clash of the tournament, where they went on to face Australia.

However, their unbeaten run ended against the men in yellow. In a brilliant showcase of leadership, Pat Cummins outsmarted the Indian team as Australia successfully chased down the target of 241 runs after brilliant knocks by opener Travis Head and Marnus Labuschagne.

Defeating India by six wickets, Australia clinched their sixth World Cup title, and they will also look to put in similar performances in the upcoming T20I series as well.