The three-match T20I series between India and Afghanistan that will begin on September 13 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi. This match-up will serve as India's last preparation before the Asian Games 2026 in Japan.

Although India has remained undefeated against their rivals in the subcontinent, the Men in Blue are expected to take the challenge seriously. Afghanistan will enter the tie with a new captaincy in place, Ibrahim Zadran, and an experienced squad featuring several T20I regulars from overseas. Despite India's star-studded line-up, they may not have been given much of a chance to beat a team that has been built specifically to upset top seeds in the shortest format.

Here are the three Afghanistan players who can turn out to be match-winners against India in New Delhi:

1. Naveen-ul-Haq

Naveen-ul-Haq is a right-arm pacer who has returned to the squad after being sidelined for the T20 World Cup 2026 with a stress fracture in his right shoulder. The right-hander has been in tremendous form at home, picking up 9 wickets in 6 T20I matches with an average of 19.89 and an economy of 8.33. He will provide a different dimension to Afghanistan's attack as the pace quartet looks to trouble the Indian top-order.

2. Rashid Khan

Following his injury layoff, Rashid Khan is a man reborn with a spectacular IPL 2026 in the bag for Gujarat Titans. The left-arm wrist spinner troubled the top-order in the ODI series against Ireland, scalping 12 wickets in 5 games.

Rashid Khan has been one of the best T20I bowlers this year with 51 wickets in 40 matches. In India, he has been sensational with the figures of 53 wickets in 26 matches at an average of 11.62 and an economy of 6.10 per over. With India's middle-order having been dismantled time and again by the googly, Rashid Khan will be Afghanistan's most potent weapon.

3. Rahmanullah Gurbaz

Scoring a century in the ODI against India in Dharamsala was a statement from Rahmanullah Gurbaz. He has been in stunning form in the Shpageeza Cricket League and the Global Super League 2026, posting big scores in both.

Rahmanullah is a nightmare against the Indian pace attack, having scored a half-century in the T20I match in Bengaluru earlier this year in addition to the ODI hundred. His aggressive approach at the start of the innings will be key in deciding whether Afghanistan will chase down big totals or set up a mammoth total for the chasing side to chase in Delhi against the new-ball attack of Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh.