14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi. (Photo: X/@SDhawan25)
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Saturday announced India’s Under-19 squads for the ICC Men’s U-19 World Cup 2026 and the three-match one-day series against South Africa. Ayush Mhatre has been named captain for the World Cup, while 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi will lead the side during the South Africa tour in Mhatre’s absence.
Ayush Mhatre will resume captaincy duties at the ICC Men’s U-19 World Cup, scheduled to be held in Zimbabwe and Namibia from January 15, with the final set for February 6. Mhatre, however, will miss the South Africa tour after sustaining a wrist injury and will report to the BCCI Centre of Excellence for rehabilitation before the global tournament.
With Mhatre sidelined, Vaibhav Suryavanshi has been elevated to captain the India U-19 side for the South Africa tour. At just 14 years old, Suryavanshi’s appointment marks a rare leadership milestone in Indian junior cricket. Aaron George has been named vice-captain for the series.
Vice-captain Vihaan Malhotra will also miss the South Africa series due to a wrist injury. Like Mhatre, Malhotra will undergo injury management at the BCCI Centre of Excellence and is expected to rejoin the squad in time for the U-19 World Cup.
India U-19 will tour South Africa for a three-match one-day series from January 3 to 7, with all matches scheduled to be played at Willowmoore Park, Benoni. The series comes shortly after India’s runners-up finish at the U-19 Asia Cup in the UAE, where they lost the final to Pakistan.
Five-time champions India have been placed in Group B alongside New Zealand, USA and Bangladesh. The tournament will feature 16 teams, followed by the Super Six stage, semi-finals and the final in Harare.
India will begin their campaign against USA on January 15 at Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo, followed by matches against Bangladesh on January 17 at the same venue and New Zealand on January 24.
Vaibhav Suryavanshi (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
Ayush Mhatre (C), Vihaan Malhotra (VC), Vaibhav Suryavanshi, 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.
Sofia Babu Chacko is a journalist with over five years of experience reporting on Indian politics, crime, human rights, gender issues, and stories about marginalized communities. She believes journalism plays a crucial role in amplifying unheard voices and bringing attention to issues that truly matter. Sofia has contributed articles to The New Indian Express, Youth Ki Awaaz, and Maktoob Media. She is also a recipient of the 2025 Laadli Media Awards for gender sensitivity. Beyond the newsroom, she is a music enthusiast who enjoys singing. Connect with Sofia on X: https://x.com/SBCism
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