Afghanistan will host India for three T20Is in Delhi.
The Delhi Traffic Police requested in a letter to the DDCA that the first T20I be rescheduled from Sunday, September 13. The BRICS Summit's traffic and security requirements prompted the request.
The DCP Traffic (Central Range) outlined the scope of preparations anticipated in the capital when international delegations, dignitaries, and VVIPs arrive for the summit on September 12 and 13 in a letter to the DDCA secretary on September 9.
The DDCA was encouraged by the traffic authorities to finish the necessary traffic arrangements and reschedule the match after the summit. Between 25,000 and 35,000 people are anticipated to attend the T20I on September 13, adding a major crowd control problem to an already taxing time for the city.
According to the traffic police, roads and areas surrounding the Arun Jaitley Stadium, including DDU Marg, BSZ Marg, Minto Road, Kamla Market, and adjoining stretches, already experience heavy vehicular and pedestrian movement.
But according to the Delhi District Cricket Association (DDCA), Sunday's game will proceed as planned. The DDCA secretary, Ashok Sharma, confirmed to Hindustan Times Digital that the Delhi Traffic Police has written to the body, requesting that the fixture be rescheduled due to the BRICS Summit.
“Yes, the Delhi Traffic Police has written to us. But the final call has to be taken by the BCCI and the Home Ministry. We have no authority to reschedule the first T20I,” Ashok Sharma told HT Digital.
“India–Afghanistan 1st T20I on 13 September at Arun Jaitley Stadium will go ahead as scheduled. Following a meeting with Delhi Traffic Police, DDCA has been assured of all necessary support and arrangements. No postponement,” DDCA posted on X.
While the DDCA has confirmed that the game will go as scheduled, the situation could become more complicated with traffic on match day and parking requirements. However, the final decision has not yet been announced, and those in charge of the match's administration insist that a timetable modification is still possible.
The traffic police notably highlighted the risk of congestion around BSZ Marg, Mata Sundari College, Rajghat, and Bal Bhawan, where increased vehicles and pedestrian movement may restrict available road space.
The authorities also highlighted the substantial deployment required for the international conference. Traffic personnel will be in charge of controlling VVIP and VIP routes, creating diversions, clearing specified routes, and facilitating the movement of foreign delegations and their convoys.
“Further, the entire Delhi Traffic Police would already be extensively deployed for BRICS-related traffic regulation, diversions, route clearance, and VVIP movements. Simultaneous arrangements for the cricket match would place considerable pressure on available manpower and pose significant challenges in traffic diversion, parking, crowd regulation, emergency access, and route clearance,” Delhi Police stated in the letter to DDCA, as per the Hindustan Times.
Holding a significant international cricket match at the same time could put further strain on the Delhi Traffic Police, since a large portion of the police is anticipated to be dedicated to BRICS-related tasks.
“In view of the international importance and priority of the BRICS summit, DDCA is requested to kindly consider rescheduling/postponing the match scheduled on 13.09.2026 to any suitable date after completion of the summit and related traffic arrangements,” the letter stated.
The September 13 fixture is the first of three scheduled T20Is between India and Afghanistan in Delhi. The remaining matches are slated for September 15 and 17.