Ayush Mhatre to Lead India U19 in Asia Cup in Dubai

Announcement of the U19 Squad

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially announced the men’s U19 squad for the highly anticipated Asian Cricket Council (ACC) Asia Cup. Scheduled to take place in Dubai, the tournament will commence on December 12, and promises to bring together some of the best young talents in cricket.

Leadership Roles

In a significant appointment, Ayush Mhatre has been named captain of the India U19 team for this prestigious competition. Vihaan Malhotra will serve as the vice-captain, bringing additional leadership experience to the group. The BCCI remarked, “The Junior Cricket Committee has picked the India U19 squad for the upcoming ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup,” underscoring the thorough selection process behind the team formation.

Notable Inclusion

Among the 15 players selected, 14-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi stands out as a rising star from Bihar. Currently competing in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) 2025, Sooryavanshi’s inclusion is seen as a testament to his immense potential and talent on the field.

Standby Players

In preparation for the tournament, the BCCI has also named four standby players: Rahul Kumar, Hemchudeshan J, BK Kishore, and Aditya Rawat. These players will remain poised to step in if required, enhancing the team’s readiness for the eight-team tournament.

Tournament Structure and Grouping

The 2025 U19 Asia Cup will see India placed in Group A alongside Pakistan, with the remaining two teams set to be determined after the completion of the qualifiers. The qualifiers feature 14 teams, including Bahrain, Hong Kong, and Nepal, among others. These teams will compete for three spots in the main draw, with the top two teams and the third-place finisher earning their place in the tournament.

India U19 Squad for Asia Cup

The finalized squad includes:

• Ayush Mhatre (C)
• Vihaan Malhotra (VC)
• Vaibhav Sooryavanshi
• Vedant Trivedi
• Abhigyan Kundu (WK)
• Harvansh Singh (WK)
• Yuvraj Gohil
• Kanishk Chouhan
• Khilan Patel
• Naman Pushpak
• D Deepesh
• Henil Patel
• Udhav Mohan
• Aaron George
• Kishan Kumar Singh (subject to fitness clearance)

Groupings for the U19 Asia Cup

The tournament will be structured as follows:

• Group A: India, Pakistan, Qualifier 1, Qualifier 3
• Group B: Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Qualifier 2

The eagerly awaited tournament promises to showcase talent and skill, with India aiming to solidify its position within the regional cricketing landscape.

Published on 1764795673 • Category: