BCCI Names 15-Player Squad for ICC Men’s Under-19 World Cup 2026

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has unveiled the BCCI India U19 World Cup 2026 squad, naming a 15‑player contingent for the ICC Men’s Under‑19 World Cup. The tournament will be co‑hosted by Zimbabwe and Namibia and runs from 15 January to 6 February 2026.

India, winners of five previous U‑19 titles (2000, 2008, 2012, 2018 and 2022), are placed in Group B and aim to reclaim the trophy after finishing runnersup in 2024. The announcement, made by the BCCI’s Junior Cricket Committee, lists Ayush Mhatre as captain and Vihaan Malhotra as vice‑captain, with Vaibhav Suryavanshi named to lead the team during the warm‑up tour of South Africa.

Squad announcement & leadership

The BCCI India U19 World Cup 2026 squad of 15 members includes a combination of both young and experienced players. The World Cup team will be headed by Ayush Mhatre, who will be assisted by the all-rounder Vihaan Malhotra.

Both players are currently recovering from wrist injuries sustained during domestic competitions and will miss the January youth ODI series against South Africa. They will undergo rehabilitation at the BCCI Centre of Excellence and are expected to join the squad in Zimbabwe.

In their absence, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, a powerful batter and leg‑spinner, is appointed captain for the South Africa tour. The BCCI stressed that the South Africa tour is vital for testing bench strength and acclimatising to Southern African conditions.

The three youth ODIs will be played at Willowmoore Park, Benoni, on 3, 5 and 7 January 2026. Suryavanshi will lead the team with Aaron George as his deputy during these matches.

Tournament schedule & group

The ICC Men’s India U19 World Cup 2026 squad features 16 teams divided into four groups. The top three sides from each group progress to the Super Six stage, followed by semi‑finals and the final.

Moreover, five‑time champions India have been drawn in Group B alongside New Zealand, USA and Bangladesh. Their group fixtures are:

1. 15 January – vs USA: Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo.
2. 17 January – vs Bangladesh: same venue.
3. 24 January – vs New Zealand: Queens Sports Club.

All matches start at 9:30 a.m. local time. The tournament’s final will be played on 6 February in Harare.

Full player list

The BCCI India U19 World Cup 2026 squad contains 15 players. The list below outlines each player’s primary role:

The BCCI also named a South Africa tour squad with 15 players, including Suryavanshi (captain), George (vice‑captain) and several squad members, plus Yuvraj Gohil and Rahul Kumar.

Key players & build‑up

Several young stars have emerged ahead of the World Cup. Vaibhav Suryavanshi stole headlines during the Under‑19 Asia Cup.

Likewise, he blasted a 95‑ball 171 against the UAE in the opening match and finished the tournament with 261 runs in five games, making him India’s second‑highest run‑scorer. The 15‑year‑old then carried his form into domestic cricket, smashing 190 off 84 balls for Bihar in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, where he was named player of the match.

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Wicket‑keeper Abhigyan Kundu has been equally impressive. He topped India’s run charts at the Asia Cup with 271 runs, including an unbeaten 209* against Malaysia.

Captain Ayush Mhatre led India to the Asia Cup final earlier in December and added stability to the batting order. Vihaan Malhotra, a dependable all‑rounder, complements Mhatre with his ability to accelerate at the death while bowling handy medium pace.

India’s U‑19 programme has a history of producing world‑class talent. Former captains such as Mohammad Kaif (2000), Virat Kohli (2008), Unmukt Chand (2012), Prithvi Shaw (2018) and Yash Dhull (2022) have all lifted the trophy. These successes underline why the 2026 squad carries high expectations.

Pre‑World‑Cup preparation & injuries

To fine‑tune strategies and give match time to fringe players, India will play a three‑match youth ODI series in Benoni before heading to Zimbabwe. The fixtures on 3, 5 and 7 January 2026 will provide opportunities for players like Aaron George, Kanishk Chouhan and Kishan Kumar Singh to press their claims.

With Mhatre and Malhotra rehabilitating their wrist injuries, the management hopes they return fully fit for the World Cup opener. Every eye will be on the field as it is the upcoming best sports event in India in 2026.

FAQs

1. Who is captaining India’s Under‑19 team for the 2026 World Cup?
   Ayush Mhatre will be the head of the Indian team at the ICC Men’s World Cup in 2026. In the pre-World Cup series in South Africa, Vaibhav Suryavanshi will lead the team.
2. When and where will the 2026 U19 World Cup take place?
   The tournament will be held in Zimbabwe and Namibia in the period between 15 January and 6 February 2026. The games will be in Bulawayo as group games and also the final will be in Harare.
3. Who are the vice‑captain and wicketkeepers in the squad?
   Vihaan Malhotra serves as vice‑captain. The squad features two wicket‑keeper batters: Abhigyan Kundu and Harvansh Singh.
4. What is India’s group and match schedule?
   India is in Group B with New Zealand, USA and Bangladesh. They play the USA on 15 January, Bangladesh on 17 January, and New Zealand on 24 January at Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo.
5. How many times has India won the Under‑19 World Cup?
   India has won the tournament five times, in 2000, 2008, 2012, 2018 and 2022, and is aiming for a record‑extending sixth title.

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