India has named Ayush Mhatre as captain for the ICC Men’s U-19 World Cup 2026. The all-rounder will miss the South Africa ODIs.
Ayush Mhatre was named captain of India’s 15-member squad for the U-19 World Cup 2026 on Saturday. The tournament will be played in Zimbabwe and Namibia from January 15 to February 6 next year.
However, along with Vihaan Malhotra, Mhatre will miss the preceding assignment to South Africa — a three-match ODI series — due to their respective wrist injuries.
Sooryavanshi to captain India in SA ODIs
With Mhatre and Malhotra unavailable, batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi will lead India in the three-match U-19 ODI series in South Africa, starting on January 3, 5 and 7. All three games will be played at Benoni. Aaron George will be India’s vice-captain for this tour.
Mhatre and Malhotra will first report to the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru to continue their injury treatment. They will later join the Indian team once cleared. Both Sooryavanshi and George are also part of India’s U-19 World Cup squad.
“Ayush Mhatre and Vihaan Malhotra have sustained wrist injuries and will miss the South Africa tour,” the BCCI said in a statement.
“The duo will report to the BCCI Centre of Excellence for further management of their injuries and will join the team for the ICC Men’s Under-19 World Cup,” it added.
The ICC Men’s U-19 World Cup 2026 will feature 16 teams, split into four groups. After the group stage, the tournament moves into the Super Six, then the semi-finals, and the final, which will be played in Harare.
India drawn in Group B with NZ, USA & Bangladesh
India are five-time U-19 World Cup champions (2000, 2008, 2012, 2018, 2022). This year, India will play in Group B, alongside New Zealand, USA and Bangladesh.
India’s World Cup campaign begins on January 15 against the USA at the Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo. They will play Bangladesh on January 17 at the same ground. After that, India face New Zealand on January 24.
The Squads:
For South Africa tour: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (C), Aaron George (VC), Vedant Trivedi, Abhigyan Kundu (wk), Harvansh Singh (wk), RS Ambrish, Kanishk Chouhan, Khilan A Patel, Mohamed Enaan, Henil Patel, D Deepesh, Kishan Kumar Singh, Udhav Mohan, Yuvraj Gohil, Rahul Kumar.
For U19 World Cup: Ayush Mhatre (c), Vihaan Malhotra (vc), Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Aaron George, Vedant Trivedi, Abhigyan Kundu (wk), Harvansh Singh (wk), RS Ambrish, Kanishk Chouhan, Khilan A Patel, Mohamed Enaan, Henil Patel, D Deepesh, Kishan Kumar Singh, Udhav Mohan.
( With PTI Inputs )
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