Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has unveiled India Under-19 teams for two major upcoming engagements – U19 tour of South Africa And U19 World Cup 202614 year old prodigy Vaibhav Suryavanshi has been appointed captain for the three-match ODI series in South Africa starting January 3, while he is the regular captain Ayush Mhatre He is expected to retain the captaincy for the much-awaited U19 World Cup starting on January 15. Notably, the multi-team event will be co-hosted by Zimbabwe and Namibia.
Vaibhav Suryavanshi ready to lead India U19 in South Africa tour
In a move that highlights his meteoric rise, Suryavanshi will lead the Indian side during their brief preliminary tour of South Africa. At just 14, Suryavanshi became the youngest player to captain an Indian representative team at this level. The Bihar-born batsman, who was recently honored with the Bal Puraskar, has been in tremendous form. He recently became the youngest centurion in List A cricket history and finished 2025 as India’s leading run-scorer in youth ODIs. He is being included in the leadership group for the South Africa tour aaron georgeWho will serve as vice-captain.
The South Africa tour is being seen as an important preparation phase, giving the young players experience of foreign conditions and competitive cricket ahead of the global tournament at the end of the month.
Also read: England announce squad for U19 World Cup 2026, Thomas Reeve to lead
Ayush Mhatre named India captain for U19 World Cup 2026
The regular leadership pair of Mhatre (captain) and Vihaan Malhotra (Vice-captain) is expected to return for the U19 World Cup 2026. Both players suffered wrist injuries, due to which they were forced to leave the South Africa tour. Taking a cautious approach, the BCCI medical team has sent the pair to the BCCI Center of Excellence in Bengaluru for rehabilitation.
The U19 tournament will see 16 teams divided into four groups, followed by a Super Six stage, semi-finals and final in Harare. Five-time champions India have been placed in Group B along with New Zealand, Bangladesh and USA. The Boys in Blue will open their campaign against USA on January 15 at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo.
India’s team for South Africa tour: Vaibhav Suryavanshi (captain), Aaron George (vice-captain), Vedant Trivedi, Abhigyan Kundu (wicketkeeper), Harvansh Singh (wicketkeeper), RS Ambareesh, Kanishk Chauhan, Khilan A. Patel, Mohammad Anan, Henil Patel, D. Deepesh, Kishan Kumar Singh, Udhav Mohan, Yuvraj Gohil, Rahul Kumar
India’s squad for ICC Men’s U19 World Cup 2026: Ayush Mhatre (captain), Vihaan Malhotra (vice-captain), Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Aaron George, Vedant Trivedi, Abhigyan Kundu (wicketkeeper), Harvansh Singh (wicketkeeper), RS Ambareesh, Kanishk Chauhan, Khilan A. Patel, Mohammad Anan, Henil Patel, D. Deepesh, Kishan Kumar Singh, Udhav Mohan.
Also read: Australia announces strong squad for U19 World Cup 2026, Oliver Peak to lead