Ayush Mhatre to lead India at ICC U-19 World Cup 2026; Vaibhav Sooryavanshi named captain for South Africa tour

NEW DELHI: The BCCI has named India’s Under-19 squads for the upcoming tour of South Africa and the ICC Men’s Under-19 World Cup 2026, with 14-year-old batting prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi set to lead the side on the South Africa tour. Sooryavanshi has been appointed captain for the three-match One-Day series in Benoni, with Aaron George named his deputy. Ayush Mhatre and Vihaan Malhotra have been ruled out of the South Africa tour after sustaining wrist injuries. Both players will report to the BCCI Centre of Excellence for further treatment and rehabilitation. The duo is expected to rejoin the setup in time for the ICC Men’s Under-19 World Cup, where they will take on the leadership roles. For the Under-19 World Cup, scheduled to be held in Zimbabwe and Namibia from 15 January to 6 February 2026, Ayush Mhatre will captain the Indian team, with Vihaan Malhotra serving as his vice-captain. India’s Under-19 tour of South Africa will consist of three One-Day matches, all to be played at Willowmoore Park in Benoni. The series begins on Saturday, 3 January, followed by the second match on 5 January and the final game on 7 January. The 2026 ICC Men’s Under-19 World Cup will feature 16 teams divided into four groups, followed by a Super Six stage, semi-finals and the final, which will be held in Harare. Five-time champions India, who have previously lifted the title in 2000, 2008, 2012, 2018 and 2022, have been placed in Group B alongside New Zealand, the USA and Bangladesh. India will open their World Cup campaign against the USA on 15 January at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo. They will then face Bangladesh at the same venue on 17 January, before taking on New Zealand on 24 January.India’s squad for SA tour: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (C), Aaron George (VC), Vedant Trivedi, Abhigyan Kundu (wk), Harvansh Singh (wk), R.S. Ambrish, Kanishk Chouhan, Khilan A. Patel, Mohamed Enaan, Henil Patel, D. Deepesh, Kishan Kumar Singh, Udhav Mohan, Yuvraj Gohil, Rahul KumarIndia U19 squad for ICC Men’s U19 World Cup 2026: Ayush Mhatre (C), Vihaan Malhotra (VC), Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Aaron George, Vedant Trivedi, Abhigyan Kundu (wk), Harvansh Singh (wk), R.S. Ambrish, Kanishk Chouhan, Khilan A. Patel, Mohamed Enaan, Henil Patel, D. Deepesh, Kishan Kumar Singh, Udhav Mohan.