Ayush Mhatre to lead India at U19 World Cup; Vaibhav Sooryavanshi named captain for South Africa tour | Cricket News

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Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Ayush Mhatre (Agency image)

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 Vaibhav Sooryavanshi set to lead the team on the South Africa tour. Sooryavanshi was named captain for the three-match One-Day series at Benoni, with Aaron George named his deputy. Ayush Mhatre and Vihaan Malhotra have been ruled out of the South Africa tour after suffering wrist injuries. Both players will report to the BCCI Center of Excellence for further treatment and rehabilitation. The duo are expected to join the team in time for the ICC Men’s Under-19 World Cup, where they will take on leadership roles.

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For the Under-19 World Cup, scheduled to take place in Zimbabwe and Namibia from January 15 to February 6, 2026, Ayush Mhatre will captain the Indian team, while Vihaan Malhotra will be vice-captain. India’s Under-19 tour of South Africa will feature three one-day matches, all played at Willowmoore Park in Benoni. The series begins on Saturday, January 3, followed by the second game on January 5 and the final game on January 7. The ICC Men’s Under-19 World Cup 2026 will feature 16 teams divided into four groups, followed by the Super Six stage, semi-finals and final, which will be held in Harare. Five-time world champions India, who have previously won the title in 2000, 2008, 2012, 2018 and 2022, have been placed in Group B alongside New Zealand, USA and Bangladesh. India will open their World Cup campaign against the United States on January 15 at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo. They will next face Bangladesh at the same venue on January 17, before taking on New Zealand on January 24.Indian squad for SA tour: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (C), Aaron George (VC), Vedant Trivedi, Abhigyan Kundu (week), Harvansh Singh (week), RS Ambrish, Kanishk Chouhan, Khilan A. Patel, Mohamed Enaan, Henil Patel, D. Deepesh, Kishan Kumar Singh, Udhav Mohan, Yuvraj Gohil, Rahul Kumar.Indian U19 team for the ICC U19 Men’s World Cup 2026: Ayush Mhatre (C), Vihaan Malhotra (VC), Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Aaron George, Vedant Trivedi, Abhigyan Kundu (week), Harvansh Singh (week), RS Ambrish, Kanishk Chouhan, Khilan A. Patel, Mohamed Enaan, Henil Patel, D. Deepesh, Kishan Kumar Singh, Udhav Mohan.