U19 World Cup 2026 India squad: Full Team List, Captain, Key Players, and Schedule
U19 World Cup 2026 India squad
Overview: India’s Quest for a Sixth U19 World Cup Title
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced a strong 15-member squad for the ICC Under-19 World Cup 2026, set to be co-hosted by Zimbabwe and Namibia from January 15 to February 6. The five-time champions are placed in Group B alongside New Zealand, USA, and Bangladesh, beginning their campaign on January 15 against the USA in Bulawayo.
U19 World Cup 2026 India squad: Complete Player List
The selectors have named a balanced squad blending experience from the recent U19 Asia Cup with fresh talent. Below is the official U19 World Cup 2026 India squad:
| Player Name | Role | Notable Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Ayush Mhatre (Captain) | Batsman | Leading run-scorer in U19 Asia Cup group stage, recovering from wrist injury |
| Vihaan Malhotra (Vice-Captain) | All-rounder | Recently picked by RCB in IPL auction, talented batting all-rounder |
| Vaibhav Suryavanshi | Batsman | Will lead in South Africa series, scored 261 in U19 Asia Cup |
| Aaron George | Top-order Batsman | Top-scorer for India in U19 Asia Cup with 228 runs |
| Vedant Trivedi | Batsman | Consistent middle-order performer |
| Abhigyan Kundu (WK) | Wicket-keeper Batsman | Scored unbeaten 209* against Malaysia in Asia Cup |
| Harvansh Singh (WK) | Wicket-keeper Batsman | Backup keeping option |
| R.S. Ambrish | Batsman | New addition to squad |
| Kanishk Chouhan | All-rounder | Bowling all-rounder option |
| Khilan A. Patel | Bowler | Pace bowling option |
| Mohamed Enaan | Bowler | New face in the squad |
| Henil Patel | All-rounder | Spin bowling all-rounder |
| D. Deepesh | Medium Pacer | Highest wicket-taker in U19 Asia Cup with 9 scalps |
| Kishan Kumar Singh | Bowler | Pace attack component |
| Udhav Mohan | Bowler | Bowling specialist |
Leadership: U19 World Cup 2026 India squad Captain
Ayush Mhatre has been appointed as the captain of U19 World Cup 2026 India squad. The decision comes after his successful leadership during the U19 Asia Cup where India reached the finals. Currently recovering from a wrist injury along with vice-captain Vihaan Malhotra, Mhatre will miss the preparatory series against South Africa but is expected to be fully fit for the World Cup.
Vaibhav Suryavanshi will lead the team in the three-match ODI series against South Africa U19 in Benoni on January 3, 5, and 7. This series serves as crucial preparation ahead of the global tournament.
Team India’s Road to U19 World Cup 2026:
Recent Performance: U19 Asia Cup 2025
India enjoyed a strong run in the U19 Asia Cup held in Dubai, reaching the finals before losing to Pakistan. Several players from that squad have been retained, indicating continuity in selection:
- Top Performers: Abhigyan Kundu (271 runs), Vaibhav Suryavanshi (261 runs), Aaron George (228 runs)
- Bowling Strength: D. Deepesh (9 wickets) led the bowling attack
- Historic Knock: Abhigyan Kundu’s breathtaking 209* off 125 balls against Malaysia
Preparatory Series: South Africa U19 ODIs
Before the World Cup, India will play three youth ODIs against South Africa. The squad for this series includes two changes from the World Cup squad, with Yuvraj Gohil and Rahul Kumar replacing the injured captain and vice-captain.
Tournament Structure and India’s Schedule:
Where is the Under-19 World Cup 2026?
The ICC Under-19 World Cup 2026 will be jointly hosted by Zimbabwe and Namibia, marking the first time these nations host the tournament. Matches will be played across multiple venues, with the final scheduled for February 6 in Harare, Zimbabwe.
India’s Group Stage Fixtures
| Date | Match | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| January 15, 2026 | India vs USA | Queen’s Sports Club, Bulawayo |
| January 17, 2026 | India vs Bangladesh | Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo |
| January 24, 2026 | India vs New Zealand | Venue TBC |
Tournament Format –
The 16-team tournament features:
- Group Stage: Four groups of four teams each
- Super Six: Top three from each group advance to two groups of six
- Knockouts: Top two from each Super Six group proceed to semifinals
Key Players to Watch in U19 World Cup 2026 India squad:
Batting Talents –
- Abhigyan Kundu: The wicket-keeper batter announced himself with a spectacular double century in the Asia Cup. His aggressive stroke play makes him a game-changer.
- Vaibhav Suryavanshi: With experience in domestic List A cricket (including a 190 for Bihar), he brings maturity to the batting lineup.
- Aaron George: The top-order batter was India’s most consistent scorer in the Asia Cup and will anchor the innings.
Bowling Prospects –
- D. Deepesh: The 17-year-old medium pacer emerged as India’s leading wicket-taker in the Asia Cup with nine wickets.
- Henil Patel & Kanishk Chouhan: The spin-bowling all-rounders provide balance and wicket-taking options in middle overs.
All-round Capability –
Vihaan Malhotra: The vice-captain offers genuine all-round value and was impressive enough to attract IPL interest with RCB picking him in the recent auction.
Historical Context: India’s U19 World Cup Legacy
India is the most successful team in U19 World Cup history with five titles (2000, 2008, 2012, 2018, 2022). The tournament has served as a launching pad for international stars like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Yuvraj Singh, and more recently, Shubman Gill.
Notable Alumni Comparisons –
While Shubman Gill (2018 U19 World Cup winner) has graduated to senior team stardom, the class of 2026 aims to follow similar trajectories. Unlike senior tournaments, the 2026 T20 World Cup captaincy (likely still Rohit Sharma or his successor) is separate from U19 leadership, which focuses purely on developing future talent.
Selection Philosophy and Team Balance:
The selection committee has prioritized:
- Asia Cup Performers: Core of the team comes from Asia Cup squad
- Injury Management: Captain and vice-captain given time to recover despite missing warm-ups
- Pace-Spin Balance: Adequate variety in bowling attack for African conditions
- Batting Depth: Multiple players capable of batting in different positions
Frequently Asked Questions (People Also Ask)
Who is the captain of U19 World Cup 2026 India squad?
Ayush Mhatre has been named captain of India’s U19 World Cup 2026 squad. He will miss the South Africa preparatory series due to injury but is expected to lead in the World Cup.
Where is the 2026 Under-19 World Cup?
The 2026 ICC Under-19 World Cup will be hosted jointly by Zimbabwe and Namibia from January 15 to February 6, 2026.
Is Shubman Gill in the Under-19 squad?
No, Shubman Gill was part of India’s 2018 U19 World Cup winning team and has since graduated to the senior national team. He is not eligible for the 2026 U19 tournament.
Who is the captain of Team India in the 2026 T20 World Cup?
The captain for India’s senior 2026 T20 World Cup squad was Surya Kumar Yadav. This is separate from U19 cricket and will likely be decided closer to the tournament.
What changes were made from the Asia Cup squad?
From the U19 Asia Cup squad, Yuvraj Gohil and Naman Pushpak have been replaced by R.S. Ambrish and Mohamed Enaan for the World Cup squad.
Tournament Expectations and Challenges:
Strengths –
- Powerful batting lineup with multiple century-makers
- Experienced core from Asia Cup campaign
- Strong leadership despite injury concerns
- Variety in bowling attack
Areas to Address –
- Captain and vice-captain returning from injury
- Adjusting to African conditions
- Handling pressure of being five-time champions
Pathway to Knockouts –
With New Zealand as the main threat in Group B, India is expected to qualify comfortably for the Super Six stage. Their historical dominance in age-group cricket makes them one of the tournament favorites alongside traditional rivals like Australia, Pakistan, and England.
Conclusion: India’s Preparation and Prospects
The U19 World Cup 2026 India squad represents a blend of exciting talent and tournament experience. With a balanced team, proven performers, and strategic leadership choices, India is well-positioned to challenge for a record-extending sixth title.
The preparatory series against South Africa will allow the team to finalize combinations before the World Cup begins on January 15. All eyes will be on how the young talents perform on the global stage, potentially beginning their journeys toward senior national team call-ups.
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