The first T20I between India and Afghanistan will go ahead as scheduled at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on September 13, despite an earlier request from Delhi Traffic Police to postpone the fixture because of the BRICS Summit taking place in the capital.
The Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) confirmed the match would remain on its original date following discussions with traffic authorities. The fixture had faced the possibility of being moved as officials assessed the demands of simultaneously managing an international cricket crowd and the movement of foreign delegates and dignitaries during the summit.
The DDCA stated on X: “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.”
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 (@delhi_cricket) September 10, 2026
Police sought postponement amid BRICS Summit demands
The scheduling issue emerged after Delhi Traffic Police contacted the DDCA over the operational demands expected across the capital. The BRICS Summit is being held on September 12 and 13, requiring traffic regulation, diversions, route clearance and personnel deployment connected with the movement of foreign delegates and VVIPs.
The September 13 T20I is expected to bring between 25,000 and 35,000 spectators to the Arun Jaitley Stadium. In its letter to the DDCA Secretary, the Delhi Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic), Central Range, stated: “The cricket match, scheduled on 13-09-2026, is expected to attract around 25000-35,000 spectators. The area around the Arun Jaitley Stadium and DDU Marg, BSZ Marg, Minto Road, Kamala Market and adjoining roads already witness substantial vehicular and pedestrian movement. Additional match-related traffic and parking around BSZ Marg, Mata Sundari College, Raj Ghat and Bal Bhawan are likely to reduce available carriageway and cause congestion.”
Traffic management around the stadium was only one element of the authorities’ concerns, with policing resources also required across Delhi during the international summit. Delhi Traffic Police stated in the letter: “Further, the entire Delhi Traffic Police would already be extensively deployed for BRICS-deployed related traffic regulation, diversions, route clearance and VVIP movements.”
The demands of running both events concurrently also raised broader operational considerations. The letter added: “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.”
DDCA had no authority to move fixture
Before confirmation that the match would proceed, the DDCA maintained that any decision to change the schedule could not be taken by the association alone. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Home Ministry would have been responsible for the final call on any rescheduling.
DDCA Secretary Ashok Sharma told HT Digital: “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.”
Delhi Traffic Police had formally sought a change to the date rather than simply raising concerns over match-day arrangements. Its letter stated: “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 subsequent discussions between the DDCA and traffic authorities ultimately resulted in assurances that the necessary arrangements would be available for the match to remain on September 13.
Crowd management measures planned in Delhi
With the fixture retaining its original date, additional attention will now be placed on managing spectators arriving around the Arun Jaitley Stadium while the BRICS Summit is underway elsewhere in the capital.
Parking availability around the venue will be particularly limited as authorities seek to manage the additional movement generated by the match. DDCA Secretary Ashok Sharma told Sportstar: “We have been told to ensure the crowd management is smooth. Car parking will be severely restricted outside the stadium.”
The September 13 match opens a three-game T20I series between India and Afghanistan in Delhi. The second and third fixtures are scheduled for September 15 and September 17 respectively.
With the postponement request no longer changing the opening fixture, the series is set to begin as originally scheduled at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on September 13.
