India have officially named their 15-member squad for the ICC Men’s Under-19 Cricket World Cup, set to be played from 15 January to 6 February 2026 in Zimbabwe and Namibia. The announcement once again underlines India’s rich legacy in age-group cricket and their ambition to claim a record sixth U19 World Cup title.
India are the most successful team in the tournament’s history, having won the championship five times, and will enter the 2026 edition as one of the strongest contenders.
🏏 Leadership Group
. Captain:Ayush Mhatre
.Vice-Captain:Vihaan Malhotra
Ayush Mhatre has been entrusted with leading a balanced and talented squad that combines solid top-order batting, quality all-rounders, and a varied bowling attack.
📋India U19 Squad – World Cup 2026
.Ayush Mhatre (Captain)
.Vihaan Malhotra (Vice-Captain)
.R. S. Ambrish
.Kanishk Chouhan
.D. Deepesh
.Mohamed Enaan
.Aaron George
.Abhigyan Kundu (Wicketkeeper)
.Kishan Kumar Singh
.Udhav Mohan
.Henil Patel
.Khilan A. Patel
.Harvansh Singh (Wicketkeeper)
.Vaibhav Sooryavanshi
.Vedant Trivedi
The squad features multiple multi-skill players, giving the team flexibility across conditions expected in southern Afric
🗂 Group Stage & Fixtures
India have been placed in Group B, alongside New Zealand, Bangladesh, and USA. The group stage schedule for India is as follows:
.15 January: India
.17 January: India vs Bangladesh
. 24 January: India vs New Zealand
The tournament format includes the group stage, followed by the Super Six, semi-finals, and the final, with 16 teams competing overall.
.🔥 Preparation & Key Talking Points
.India’s U19 side is scheduled to play a pre-World Cup ODI series to fine-tune combinations and give players valuable match exposure.
.Players like Vaibhav Sooryavanshi have attracted attention with their performances in domestic and age-group cricket, adding excitement around India’s batting depth.
.The bowling unit offers a mix of pace and spin, crucial for adapting to different pitches during the tournament.
.🏆 Conclusion
With a strong captaincy group, proven youth talent, and excellent bench strength, India’s U19 team looks well-equipped to challenge for the title at the ICC Men’s Under-19 Cricket World Cup 2026. As always, expectations are high, and Indian fans will be eager to see the next generation of stars shine on the global stage.
