CSK star to lead India in 2026 U19 World Cup squad; Vaibhav Sooryavanshi included in 15-member squad

Chennai Super Kings (CSK)’s youngster Ayush Mhatre will lead as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the 15-member India squad for the 2026 U19 ODI World Cup on Saturday, December 27. Apart from Mhatre, Rajasthan Royals (RR)’s Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is also part of the squad. Vihaan Malhotra, who was picked by defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the IPL 2026 auction, has been appointed as Mhatre’s deputy.

The five-time champions will look to put their best foot forward after a setback against Pakistan in the U19 Asia Cup 2025 final. They lost the previous U19 WC final against Australia in 2024.

Team India are placed alongside New Zealand, Bangladesh, and the USA in Group B of the 2026 U19 ODI World Cup. They will begin their campaign against the USA in Bulawayo on January 15. They will then face Bangladesh and the Kiwis at the same venue on January 17 and 24, respectively.

Zimbabwe and Namibia will host the 50-over event from January 15 to February 6. A total of 16 teams will take part in the tournament, divided into four groups. The teams will then progress to the Super Six stage before the semifinal and final, scheduled to be held in Harare.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to lead India in three-match One Day series against South Africa before 2026 U19 ODI World Cup

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi will lead India in a three-match One Day series against South Africa in Benoni to prepare for the 2026 U19 ODI World Cup. Regular skipper Ayush Mhatre and vice-captain Vihaan Malhotra will miss the South Africa tour to manage their wrist injuries.

In a statement, BCCI wrote:

“Ayush Mhatre and Vihaan Malhotra have sustained wrist injuries and will miss the South Africa tour. 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.”

India U19 squad for ICC Men’s U19 World Cup 2026: Ayush Mhatre (C), Vihaan Malhotra (VC), Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, 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, and Udhav Mohan.

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, and Rahul Kumar.

Edited by James Kuanal