ACB expected to earn around US$6 million from India-Afghanistan T20I series

India and Afghanistan are contesting a three-match T20I series at Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi that began on September 13. According to a Hindustan Times report, the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) is expected to earn around US$2 million per match from media rights, putting the total at about US$6 million for the three fixtures (approximately Rs. 57 crore).

Both teams are using the series as preparation for the Asian Games 2026. India won the opening T20I by seven wickets after chasing Afghanistan’s 156/8 in 13.4 overs on September 13. The second T20I, played in Delhi on September 15, also finished with an India seven-wicket win as Sanju Samson struck 57 off 22 balls to help chase 160 in 14.5 overs; India lead the series 2-0.

Although all three matches are being staged in India, Afghanistan are the official hosts, meaning the ACB is responsible for hosting duties and stands to benefit from media, ticket and commercial revenues. The Hindustan Times report says the media-rights income is a central component of those receipts.

The media rights were sold through ITW Universe, the ACB’s global consulting partner. Sony has the television rights for the series while FanCode holds the digital rights.

The Hindustan Times report also stated that around 90 per cent of the on-ground sponsorship and activation inventory had been sold nearly a month before the series, providing an additional revenue stream for the hosts.

The report noted that Afghanistan have used India as one of their home grounds for several years because of the challenges involved in hosting international teams in Afghanistan. "This series holds great significance for Afghanistan cricket and represents another important step in the development of our longstanding relationship with the BCCI," Mirwais Ashraf said.

India lead the series 2-0 after the first two matches and the third and final T20I is yet to be played.