The stage is set for an exciting clash of future stars as the India Under-19 cricket team gears up to face South Africa Under-19 in the first of a three-match Youth ODI series. This crucial series serves as the final preparatory tour for the Indian colts before the marquee ICC Men’s Under-19 ODI World Cup 2026.
Match Details and Squad Updates
The opening encounter will be played at the Willowmoore Park in Benoni on Saturday, January 3, 2026. The match is scheduled to begin at 1:30 PM IST, with the toss taking place half an hour earlier at 1:00 PM IST.
Leading the Indian charge will be the young and talented Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who takes on the captaincy. His deputy for the series is Aaron George. However, the team will miss the services of two key players. Regulars and the designated captain and vice-captain for the upcoming World Cup, Ayush Mhatre and Vihaan Malhotra, have been ruled out of the South Africa tour due to wrist injuries. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) stated that the duo will undergo rehabilitation at the BCCI Centre of Excellence and will rejoin the squad for the World Cup.
India U-19 Squad for SA 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.
South Africa U-19 Squad: Muhammad Bulbulia (capt), JJ Basson, Daniel Bosman, Corne Botha, Paul James, Enathi Khitshini Tembalethu, Michael Kruiskamp, Adnaan Lagadien, Bayanda Majola, Armaan Manack, Bandile Mbatha, Lethabo Phahlamohlaka, Jason Rowles, Ntandoyenkosi Soni, Jorich van Schalkwyk.
The Road to the U19 World Cup 2026
This series is a vital part of India's preparations for the ICC Men’s Under-19 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by Zimbabwe and Namibia from January 15 to February 6, 2026. The tournament will feature 16 teams in a group-cum-knockout format, culminating in the final in Harare.
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. The Indian campaign kicks off against the USA on January 15 at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo, followed by matches against Bangladesh (January 17) and New Zealand (January 24).
How to Watch: Live Streaming and Telecast
As of now, there has been no official announcement regarding the live streaming and telecast partners for the India vs South Africa Under-19 Youth ODI series in India. Fans are advised to stay tuned to official BCCI and Cricket South Africa channels for updates on where to catch the action online and on television.
The series will consist of three ODIs, all to be played at the same venue in Benoni. The subsequent matches are scheduled for Monday, January 5, and Wednesday, January 7, 2026.
This series promises to be a thrilling preview of the next generation of cricketing talent from two powerhouse nations, setting the tone for an intense World Cup campaign just weeks away.
