The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially announced the Indian squads for two major upcoming assignments: the tour of South Africa and the ICC Men's Under-19 World Cup 2026. The selection brings clarity to the leadership and composition of the junior national team for the next crucial phase.
Leadership and Squad for South Africa Tour
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has been appointed captain for the three-match One-Day series in South Africa, with Aaron George serving as his vice-captain. The tour will see all matches played at Willowmoore Park in Benoni. The series is scheduled to begin on Saturday, 3 January 2026, with the second match on 5 January and the final game on 7 January.
However, the team has faced setbacks due to injury. Promising players Ayush Mhatre and Vihaan Malhotra have been ruled out of the South Africa tour after sustaining wrist injuries. Both players will immediately report to the BCCI Centre of Excellence for specialized treatment and rehabilitation.
World Cup 2026: New Captains and Group Stage
For the premier global event, the ICC Men's Under-19 World Cup 2026, to be co-hosted by Zimbabwe and Namibia from 15 January to 6 February 2026, the leadership baton changes. The recovered Ayush Mhatre will take over as captain, with Vihaan Malhotra as his deputy.
India, the most successful team in the tournament's history with five titles (2000, 2008, 2012, 2018, 2022), finds itself in Group B. Their group stage opponents are New Zealand, the USA, and Bangladesh. India will open their campaign against the USA on 15 January at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo. They face Bangladesh at the same venue on 17 January, before their final group match against New Zealand on 24 January.
The 16-team World Cup format includes a group stage, followed by a Super Six stage, semi-finals, and the final, which is slated to be held in Harare.
Complete Squad Lists
India's squad for the South Africa tour: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (Captain), Aaron George (Vice-Captain), Vedant Trivedi, Abhigyan Kundu (wicket-keeper), Harvansh Singh (wicket-keeper), R.S. Ambrish, Kanishk Chouhan, Khilan A. Patel, Mohamed Enaan, Henil Patel, D. Deepesh, Kishan Kumar Singh, Udhav Mohan, Yuvraj Gohil, Rahul Kumar.
India U19 squad for the ICC Men's U19 World Cup 2026: Ayush Mhatre (Captain), Vihaan Malhotra (Vice-Captain), Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Aaron George, Vedant Trivedi, Abhigyan Kundu (wicket-keeper), Harvansh Singh (wicket-keeper), R.S. Ambrish, Kanishk Chouhan, Khilan A. Patel, Mohamed Enaan, Henil Patel, D. Deepesh, Kishan Kumar Singh, Udhav Mohan.
The announcement sets the stage for an intense period of preparation for the young Indian cricketers. All eyes will be on the new leadership and how the team navigates the challenging tour of South Africa before aiming for a record-extending sixth world title in Zimbabwe and Namibia.
