Ayush Mhatre to Lead India in U19 World Cup 2026: Check Full Squad & Details

India Under-19 squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series against South Africa and the ICC Men's Under-19 World Cup has been announced by the Junior selection committee. The much-awaited Under-19 World Cup will kick off on January 15, 2026, and will conclude on February 6, just ahead of the Senior Men's T20I World Cup.

The selectors have selected a strong Indian squad for the Under-19 World Cup 2026. The boys in Blue will be one of the contenders for the title as they feature players who have the potential to become the best cricketers in the world in the future.

India U19 Squad for World Cup 2026

Ayush Mhatre is named India captain U19 World Cup 2026; however, the right-handed batter will miss the South Africa ODI series, where 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi will be seen leading the side. Apart from Mhatre, Vihaan Malhotra will also miss the series ahead of the World Cup.

Both players have sustained a wrist injury and will report to the BCCI's Centre of Excellence to work on recovery and join India's squad for the upcoming major tournament. Both Mhatre and Malhotra are key to India U19's chances in the tournament as they are the backbone of the batting line-up.

India's Matches and Group Update for Under-19 World Cup 2026

The ICC Men's U19 World Cup 2026 will feature 16 nations, which will be divided into four groups. The group stage will be followed by the Super Six Stage, semi-finals, and the final, scheduled to be played in Harare, which has one of the best cricket stadiums in the world.

India, the five-time U19 World Cup champions, have been put in Group B. The other teams in Group B are New Zealand, Bangladesh, and the USA. The Ayush Mhatre-led side will start their World Cup campaign with the first clash against the USA on January 15 at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo.

Their second match of the tournament will be against Bangladesh at the same venue on January 17. The same venue will host India's third match as well, which will be against New Zealand on January 24.

India Squad for U19 World Cup 2026

Ayush Mhatre (C), Vihaan Malhotra (VC), Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Aaron George, Vedant Trivedi, Abhigyan Kundu (wk), Harvansh Singh Pangalia (wk), R.S. Ambrish, Kanishk Chouhan, Khilan A. Patel, Mohamed Enaan, Henil Patel, D. Deepesh, Kishan Kumar Singh, Udhav Mohan.