India will look to complete a clean sweep in the Friendship Cup when they face Afghanistan in the third T20I on September 17, 2026, at the Arun Jaitley Cricket Stadium in New Delhi. The hosts have won the opening two matches by seven wickets each, successfully chasing targets of 157 and 160 respectively.

After back-to-back victories, India captain Shreyas Iyer indicated that changes could be made to the playing XI, particularly with the team set to travel to Japan for the Asian Games, which begin on September 19. This presents an opportunity for fringe players to stake their claim in the squad.

Here is India’s predicted XI for 3rd T20I vs Afghanistan:

Top order: Sanju Samson (WK), Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Ishan Kishan

The top order has performed consistently throughout the series. Sanju Samson scored 57 in the second T20I and has been a key figure in India’s successful chases. Abhishek Sharma contributed 39 in the same match. While Samson was dismissed cheaply in the first game, Abhishek made 82 off 32 balls. However, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi could be given a chance in place of the southpaw. Ishan Kishan’s unbeaten 38 in the second T20I showcased his ability to finish matches for India. The left-hander has been crucial in the lower middle order, and his presence in the playing XI is likely to continue given his recent form and experience in T20 cricket.

Middle order and lower order: Shreyas Iyer (c), Tilak Varma, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Shivam Dube, Washington Sundar

Shreyas Iyer has led the team well but would want to get some runs under his belt ahead of the Asian Games. In the first two games, he registered scores of 8* and 11. Tilak Varma has remained unbeaten in the two games, scoring 3 and 15. The vice-captain hasn’t had much to do with the bat because by the time he came to the crease, the match was almost done and dusted.

Nitish Kumar Reddy and Shivam Dube haven’t been required with the bat in the first two games. However, the former was impressive in the last game, as his three-for earned him the Player of the Match award. Washington Sundar could get a go in place of Axar Patel. The off-spin-bowling all-rounder hasn’t played international cricket since July.

Bowling unit: Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Yash Thakur

Ravi Bishnoi bowled four overs in the last game, conceding 32 runs and picking up one wicket. He didn’t play the first game. The leg-spinner will want to make a mark in the final game as Vipraj Nigam will give him stiff competition in the Asian Games 2026 squad. Arshdeep Singh has been the standout bowler in the first two games, where he has bagged a total of five wickets at an economy rate of just 6.75. Harshit Rana was ruled out due to a strain injury and was replaced by Yash Thakur in the squad on September 10, 2026. Thakur could come into the side in place of Jasprit Bumrah, as the Indian team management would want to rest the talismanic pacer ahead of the Asian Games.

Also Read: AFG vs IND 2026: 3rd T20I Match Preview

India’s predicted playing XI for the third T20I

Sanju Samson (WK), Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer (C), Tilak Varma, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Shivam Dube, Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Yash Thakur.