India announce squad for ICC U19 World Cup 2026, Ayush Mhatre named captain

Ayush Mhatre is set to lead the side, while Vihaan Malhotra will be his deputy for the ICC U19 World Cup 2026

Days after India‘s heartbreaking defeat to Pakistan in the final of the U19 Asia Cup 2025, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BBCI) announced the squad for the Men’s U19 World Cup 2026. Ayush Mhatre will once again don the captaincy hat, and will be supported by vice-captain Vihaan Malhotra.

The dynamic left-handed opener Vaibhav Suryavanshi will head straight from the ‘Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar’ ceremony in Delhi, to South Africa. The rest of the squad remains the same as the one which took the field during the Asia Cup 2025.

The squad will have an ideal opportunity to prepare and get used to the conditions, as they will tour South Africa, ahead of the World Cup. India will play South Africa in a three-match ODI series, starting on Jan 3. They begin their campaign at the ICC 19 World Cup 2026 on January 15, against USA.

This World Cup will be important for India’s U19 team. Having suffered a gut-wrenching loss in the finals of the Asia Cup, the wounds are still fresh from their defeat two years back to Australia, at the U19 World Cup. With multiple finale setbacks, the Mhatre-led team needs to regroup quickly and once again assert their dominance in the event.

India’s squad for ICC U19 World Cup 2026

Ayush Mhatre (C), Vihaan Malhotra (VC), Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Aaron George, Vedant Trivedi, Abhigyan Kundu (WK), Harvansh Singh (WK), R.S. Ambrish, Kanishk Chouhan, Khilan A Patel, Mohamed Enaan, Henil Patel, D Deepesh, Kishan Kumar Singh, Udhav Mohan

India’s squad for the South Africa series

The BCCI also announced squad for the South African tour, which excludes Ayush Mhatre and Vihaan Malhotra, with both missing out due to wrist injuries. The duo will report to the BCCI Centre of Excellence for further management of their injuries and will join the team for the ICC Men’s Under-19 World Cup.

In their absence, 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi will lead the side against South Africa.

India’s squad for SA tour:

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (C), Aaron George (VC), Vedant Trivedi, Abhigyan Kundu (wk), Harvansh Singh (wk), R.S. Ambrish, Kanishk Chouhan, Khilan A. Patel, Mohamed Enaan, Henil Patel, D. Deepesh, Kishan Kumar Singh, Udhav Mohan, Yuvraj Gohil, Rahul Kumar

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