India name U19 World Cup 2026 squad
India name U19 World Cup 2026 squad: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially announced the 15-player squad that will carry the nation’s hopes at the ICC Men’s U19 World Cup 2026. The tournament, to be hosted across Zimbabwe and Namibia, will see the five-time champions chase a sixth title.
Leadership and Group Challenge
The squad will be captained by Ayush Mhatre, with the talented batting all-rounder Vihaan Malhotra appointed as his vice-captain. India finds itself in a competitive Group B, where they will face New Zealand, Bangladesh, and the USA in the initial stage.
Squad Composition: A Blend of Experience and Youth
The selection panel has named a mix of players fresh from the recent U19 Asia Cup campaign and new faces brought in to bolster the side.
India’s U19 World Cup 2026 Squad:
Ayush Mhatre (Captain), Vihaan Malhotra (Vice-Captain), Aaron George, Abhigyan Kundu, Deepesh Devendran, Harvansh Singh, Henil Patel, Kanishk Chouhan, Khilan A. Patel, Kishan Kumar Singh, Mohamed Enaan, R.S. Ambrish, Udhav Mohan, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Vedant Trivedi.
Asia Cup Standouts and a Record-Breaking Knock
The team arrives with several players in strong form. Top-order batter Aaron George was India’s leading run-scorer in the Asia Cup with 228 runs. While medium-pacer Deepesh Devendran led the bowling attack with 9 wickets.
However, the talk of the tournament was wicketkeeper-batter Abhigyan Kundu. The 17-year-old announced himself with a spectacular, unbeaten 209 from just 125 balls against Malaysia, a blistering innings featuring 17 fours and 9 sixes.
Road to Zimbabwe: Injury Management and Final Preparations
In a slight setback, captain Mhatre and vice-captain Malhotra will miss the upcoming U19 ODI series against South Africa to recover from minor injuries. They will undergo rehabilitation at the BCCI Centre of Excellence. Before linking up with the squad for the World Cup.
The selectors have made two strategic changes from the Asia Cup squad, bringing in R.S. Ambrish and Mohamed Enaan to replace Yuvraj Gohil and Naman Pushpak.
Tournament Schedule: The Path Ahead
India’s quest for glory begins on January 15, 2026, in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.
India’s Group Stage Fixtures:
- January 15: vs USA, Queen’s Sports Club, Bulawayo
- January 17: vs Bangladesh, Queen’s Sports Club, Bulawayo
- January 24: vs New Zealand, Queen’s Sports Club, Bulawayo
All matches are scheduled for a 9:30 AM local time start
With a blend of powerful batting, promising bowling, and resilient leadership. This new generation of Indian cricketers is set to embark on their mission to reclaim the world crown.
