India finished runner-up in the U-19 Asia Cup after losing by 191 runs to arch-rival Pakistan in the final of the tournament at the ICC Academy Ground in Dubai on Sunday, December 21.
Prior to the final, India had a perfect record in the tournament, winning all three of its group stage games against UAE, Pakistan, and Malaysia before defeating Sri Lanka in a rain-hit semifinal to earn a spot in the final.
India’s squad featured a few known names like Ayush Mhatre and Vaibhav Suryavanshi, while Kanishk Chouhan and Vihaan Malhotra also secured IPL contracts with Royal Challengers Bengaluru during the course of the tournament.
Here is how every member of India’s U-19 squad fared during the U-19 Asia Cup 2025:
Ayush Mhatre (captain)
Skipper Ayush Mhatre had a poor tournament by his own lofty standards. Fresh off an impressive Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy campaign, Mhatre managed just 65 runs across his five innings in the competition with a top-score of 38 against Pakistan in the group stage.
Vaibhav Suryavanshi
Vaibhav Suryavanshi started his tournament by cracking the highest score by an Indian in Youth ODIs (171 against UAE), but his returns fell away as the tournament progressed. He scored only 90 more runs in his remaining four innings. His dismissals in the semifinal and final particularly serve as a reminder that, though he is undoubtedly a precocious talent, there is much in his game that has to develop.
Aaron George
Aaron George burnished his reputation with his displays at the U-19 Asia Cup, cracking three fifties from the four games he featured in. He batted with calm and composure at number three for India. His stand-out performance came in the semifinal against Sri Lanka, where he scored an unbeaten fifty to take India to the final after it had lost two early wickets in a tricky chase.
I hate Malhotra
Vihaan Malhotra shot to prominence when he was picked up by Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the middle of the tournament, and he immediately backed it up with a superlative fifty to take India home in the semifinal against Sri Lanka. He also scored another fifty against UAE, and took one wicket with the ball as well.
Vedant Trivedi
Vedant Trivedi produced one impressive knock of 90 in India’s final group match against Malaysia, but did not manage to do much else of note in his other three innings in the tournament.
Abhigyan Kundu
Abhigyan Kundu catapulted himself into the headlines with a stunning knock of 209 not out against Malaysia, the first double-century for a player representing India U-19. He also produced a useful cameo of 32 from 17 balls against the UAE, though he will be disappointed not to have found himself among the runs in both games against Pakistan.
Rare Pangalia
Harvansh Pangalia featured in only one game, scoring five as India looked for quick runs at the end of the innings against Malaysia.
Yuvraj Gohil
Yuvraj Gohil did not feature in any of India’s matches in the tournament.
Kanishk Chouhan
Kanishk Chouhan was the second Indian player to secure an IPL contract during the tournament, and he provided regular reminders of his all-round capabilities throughout the tournament as he scored 97 runs and took seven wickets. His best showing came in India’s group-stage victory over Pakistan, where he scored 46 with bat in hand, and took three for 33 with the ball.
Khilan Patel
Khilan Patel showed signs of his skills with both bat and ball in his displays during the tournament. He took 6 wickets, and acquitted himself the best of the Indian bowlers during Sameer Minhas’ onslaught during the final.
Deepesh Devendra
Deepesh Devendran was the standout bowler for India, finishing with 14 wickets. Bowling primarily as a first-change bowler, he impressed with his ability to hit the deck, bowl bouncers, and change-up deliveries later in the innings.
Henil Patel
Henil Patel produced a solid showing as one half of India’s new-ball pairing. His performance in the semifinal against Sri Lanka was his standout, breaking through with the new ball as India limited its opponent to a small score.
Kishan Kumar Singh
Khilan Patel also impressed with his new-ball exploits, troubling batters on both edges with his left-arm swing and brisk pace. He seemed to lose his accuracy in the final, but appears a promising talent for the future.
Udhav Mohan
Left-arm pacer Udhav Mohan featured in a solitary game for India U-19 against Malaysia U19, picking up two for 24 in seven overs.
Naaman Pushpak
Leg-break bowler Naman Pushpak did not feature in a single game during the tournament.
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