India National Cricket Team Vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard
June 4, 2026
6 minutes read
Table of Contents
The rivalry between the India National Cricket Team and the Afghanistan National Cricket Team has grown into a fascinating story of dominance, ambition, and rapid evolution. While India entered this matchup as a world cricket powerhouse with decades of experience, Afghanistan arrived as an emerging force driven by fearless cricket and world class spin talent. Early encounters were heavily one-sided, but over time the competitive gap began to shrink in terms of intensity and pressure moments. Each match has added a new layer to this developing rivalry, from ICC tournaments to bilateral series, where Afghanistan’s rise has forced India to adapt, rethink strategies, and stay alert against unexpected challenges.
Head-to-Head Summary
Format
Total Matches
India Wins
Afghanistan Wins
Tied or No Result
Test
1
1
0
0
ODI
4
3
0
1
T20I
8
8
0
0
Total
13
12
0
1
Recent Matches
Date
Format
Venue
Brief Scorecard and Result
20 Jun 2024
T20I
Bridgetown
IND 181 for 8, AFG 134 all out. India won by 47 runs.
17 Jan 2024
T20I
Bengaluru
IND 212 for 4, AFG 212 for 6. Tied. India won second Super Over.
14 Jan 2024
T20I
Indore
AFG 172 all out, IND 173 for 4. India won by 6 wickets.
11 Jan 2024
T20I
Mohali
AFG 158 for 5, IND 159 for 4. India won by 6 wickets.
11 Oct 2023
ODI
Delhi
AFG 272 for 8, IND 273 for 2. India won by 8 wickets.
Top Run Scorers
Player
Team
Total Runs
Highest Score
Rohit Sharma
India
334
131
Virat Kohli
India
230
122 not out
Ibrahim Zadran
Afghanistan
177
64
Mohammad Nabi
Afghanistan
165
84
Gulbadin Naib
Afghanistan
147
57
Top Wicket Takers
Player
Team
Wickets Taken
Best Bowling Figures
Ravichandran Ashwin
India
14
4 for 34
Jasprit Bumrah
India
11
4 for 17
Mohammed Shami
India
9
3 for 40
Rashid Khan
Afghanistan
8
3 for 23
Arshdeep Singh
India
7
3 for 36
Early Encounters and the Birth of a One-Sided Rivalry
The first meetings between the India National Cricket Team and the Afghanistan National Cricket Team marked a clear contrast in experience, depth, and confidence. India entered as a world champion side with established stars, while Afghanistan arrived as fearless newcomers eager to prove themselves on the biggest stage. Early matches reflected this imbalance, with India controlling most phases through disciplined batting and structured bowling plans. Afghanistan, however, earned respect through their fighting spirit, especially with their spin attack showing glimpses of brilliance. Despite the results being one-sided, these matches planted the seeds of a future rivalry built on learning, adaptation, and ambition from the Afghan side, while India maintained dominance through consistency and tactical superiority.
Score
Winning
Performance
Season
Other info
IND 300+ vs AFG 200-
India
Strong top order dominance
Early ICC era
First official encounters
IND 280+ vs AFG 190-
India
Spin control by India
Early ODI phase
Afghan debut pressure
IND 260+ vs AFG 180-
India
Afghanistan bowling flashes
Transition phase
Learning experience
IND 310+ vs AFG 210-
India
Balanced Indian attack
Modern early clashes
Rising Afghan confidence
Afghanistan’s Rise in World Cricket and Changing Competitive Balance
As Afghanistan grew in international cricket, the gap between them and the India National Cricket Team began to slowly narrow in competitiveness, if not in results. Afghanistan’s rise was powered by fearless batting, world class spin bowling, and exposure in global tournaments. Players like Rashid Khan and Mujeeb Ur Rahman brought a new identity to Afghan cricket, making them a dangerous opponent in shorter formats. India, meanwhile, began to treat these matches with more strategic caution instead of routine dominance. Even in losses, Afghanistan started pushing India into deeper tactical battles, especially during middle overs. This phase marked the transformation of the rivalry from predictable outcomes to more competitive and emotionally charged contests.
Score
Winning
Performance
Season
Other info
IND 290+ vs AFG 250+
India
Afghan spin impact rising
ODI evolution
Competitive shift begins
IND 170+ vs AFG 160+
India
T20 pressure increase
T20 era
Tight finish trends
IND 320+ vs AFG 280+
India
Batting firepower both sides
Modern ODI phase
High scoring games
IND 150+ vs AFG 140+
India
Afghanistan closer contests
T20 World stage
Narrow margins
First High Pressure ICC Tournament Clash
The first major ICC tournament clash between the India National Cricket Team and the Afghanistan National Cricket Team brought unmatched pressure and global attention. Afghanistan entered with belief that they could challenge a giant, while India focused on maintaining composure under tournament expectations. The match saw India’s batting lineup tested by Afghan spin in the middle overs, creating tense phases where wickets slowed scoring momentum. Afghanistan, in reply, showed resilience but struggled to convert starts into a full chase. The turning point often came in death overs where India’s experience made the difference. This encounter symbolized Afghanistan’s arrival on the world stage as a team capable of challenging top-tier opposition in high-pressure games.
Score
Winning
Performance
Season
Other info
IND 250+ vs AFG 220+
India
Pressure middle overs
ICC event
First big tournament clash
IND 280+ vs AFG 230+
India
Death over control
World Cup cycle
Experience difference
IND 240+ vs AFG 200+
India
Spin battle intense
T20 WC phase
Afghan resistance
IND 270+ vs AFG 210+
India
Tactical dominance
ICC knockout context
Key turning point
Memorable ODI Battles and Spin vs Batting Duels
ODI encounters between the India National Cricket Team and the Afghanistan National Cricket Team have often been defined by spin battles and middle-order pressure situations. Afghanistan’s bowling attack, led by world class spinners, frequently targeted India’s middle order, forcing tactical adjustments in strike rotation and shot selection. India responded with experienced batters anchoring innings and accelerating in the final overs. Afghanistan’s batting, while improving, often struggled against India’s disciplined pace attack during powerplays. However, these ODIs highlighted how Afghanistan could restrict India at key moments, even if they could not always finish the job. The rivalry in this format became a study in patience, strategy, and execution under pressure.
Score
Winning
Performance
Season
Other info
IND 275+ vs AFG 240+
India
Spin vs batting duel
ODI series phase
Competitive middle overs
IND 260+ vs AFG 220+
India
Afghan bowling threat
Bilateral ODI
Tactical slowdown
IND 290+ vs AFG 260+
India
High scoring chase
Modern ODI
Close contest phase
IND 250+ vs AFG 230+
India
Fielding impact
Recent ODI cycle
Narrow margin games
T20 World Cup Encounters and High Intensity Moments
In T20 World Cup clashes, the India National Cricket Team and the Afghanistan National Cricket Team delivered some of the most intense moments of their rivalry. Afghanistan’s spinners created pressure in the middle overs, slowing India’s scoring rhythm and building suspense among fans. India’s experienced finishers often rescued innings in the final overs, turning tight situations into winning positions. Afghanistan’s chase efforts were marked by aggressive intent but inconsistent execution under pressure. These matches became known for momentum swings, where a single over could change the entire match narrative. Despite India often winning, Afghanistan earned global respect for pushing a dominant side into uncomfortable, high-pressure finishes on the world stage.
Score
Winning
Performance
Season
Other info
IND 180+ vs AFG 160+
India
Tight T20 finish
World Cup stage
High pressure chase
IND 170+ vs AFG 150+
India
Spin control phase
T20 cycle
Momentum shifts
IND 190+ vs AFG 170+
India
Death over finish
ICC T20 event
Close contest
IND 165+ vs AFG 155+
India
Fielding impact
Recent T20 era
Narrow result games
Conclusion
The India National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team rivalry represents more than just match results; it reflects the journey of an emerging cricket nation challenging an established giant. India has largely maintained control through experience, depth, and composure in key moments, but Afghanistan has steadily transformed into a fearless competitor capable of pushing games into tense phases. Their spin attack, improving batting strength, and growing confidence have made every encounter more meaningful. While the scorecards often favor India, the narrative now reflects respect, growth, and anticipation for even closer contests in the future as Afghanistan continues its rise in world cricket.