Ayush Mhatre has been appointed captain of India’s squad for the ICC Men’s Under-19 World Cup 2026, scheduled to be held in Zimbabwe and Namibia from January 15 to February 6, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced on Saturday.
Mhatre and vice-captain Vihaan Malhotra will, however, miss India’s pre-tournament 50-over tour of South Africa from January 3 to 7 due to wrist injuries. Both players were in Mumbai on Friday for further assessment, and their status ahead of the World Cup remains uncertain.
“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,” the BCCI said.
In Mhatre’s absence, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has been named captain for the South Africa tour, where India will play three matches at Willowmoore Park, Benoni. Yuvraj Gohil and Rahul Kumar have been added to the touring squad, while fast-bowling all-rounder R.S. Ambrish and leg-spin all-rounder Mohamed Enaan return to the U19 World Cup squad in place of Gohil and Naman Pushpak.
Also read: Yashasvi at receiving end of selectors’ whim
The ICC Men’s Under-19 World Cup 2026 will feature 16 teams divided into four groups, followed by a Super Six stage, semi-finals and the final in Harare. Five-time champions India, winners in 2000, 2008, 2012, 2018 and 2022, have been drawn in Group A alongside New Zealand, the USA and Bangladesh.
India will begin their campaign against the USA on January 15 at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo, before facing Bangladesh on January 17 and New Zealand on January 24 at the same venue.
India 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, Udhav Mohan.
India squad for South Africa 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.
Follow us
