India’s Under-19 cricket setup has consistently produced players who go on to represent the senior national team and become important names in domestic and international cricket. The current India U19 group features a mix of specialist batters, wicketkeepers, all-rounders and bowlers, with the squad selected according to the format and tour.
For the September 2026 Australia U19 tour, the BCCI announced separate squads for the three One-Day matches and two multi-day fixtures. Lakshya Raichandani leads the One-Day squad, while Yashbardhan Chauhan captains the multi-day side. The current group includes several young players who are part of India’s next generation of cricket talent.
The 2026 ICC Men’s Under-19 World Cup squad, meanwhile, was led by Ayush Mhatre and included players such as Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Vihaan Malhotra, Aaron George and Abhigyan Kundu. India went into that tournament as five-time champions.
Latest India U19 Players List
The latest BCCI announcement for the Australia U19 tour named two different squads.
India U19 One-Day squad
| Player | Role |
|---|---|
| Lakshya Raichandani | Captain |
| Yashbardhan Chauhan | Vice-captain |
| Rajat Baghel | Wicketkeeper |
| Aaryavir Sehwag | Batter |
| V.K. Vineet | Batter |
| Kushagra Ojha | Batter |
| Arjun Rajput | Batter |
| Manal Chauhan | Batter |
| Anvay Dravid | Wicketkeeper |
| V. Yashveer | Batter/All-round option |
| Rohit Yadav | Bowler |
| Shavin Vinodh | All-rounder |
| Mohit Ulva | Bowler |
| Chigurupati Venkata | Bowler |
| Kavya Patel | Bowler |
The BCCI announced this 15-player squad on August 27, 2026, ahead of the three-match One-Day series against Australia U19 in Rajkot.
India U19 Multi-Day squad
| Player | Role |
|---|---|
| Yashbardhan Chauhan | Captain |
| Lakshya Raichandani | Vice-captain |
| Sagar Virk | Batter |
| Kushagra Ojha | Batter |
| Manal Chauhan | Batter |
| Kush Patel | All-rounder |
| Manav Krishna | Wicketkeeper |
| Abhipray Biswas | Wicketkeeper |
| Rohit Yadav | Bowler |
| Ishan Om | Bowler |
| Ayaan Akram | All-rounder |
| Pranav Ragavendra | Bowler |
| Priyanshu Singh | Batter |
| Mohit Ulva | Bowler |
| Aryan Yadav | All-rounder |
The multi-day squad is built differently because longer-format cricket requires greater emphasis on batting depth, bowling workloads and players capable of sustaining performance over several days.
India U19 World Cup 2026 Squad
Before the current Australia series, another group represented India at the 2026 ICC Men’s Under-19 World Cup.
The official World Cup squad was:
| Player | Primary role |
|---|---|
| Ayush Mhatre | Batter, captain |
| Vihaan Malhotra | All-rounder, vice-captain |
| Vaibhav Sooryavanshi | Batter |
| Vedant Trivedi | Batter |
| Aaron George | All-rounder |
| Kanishk Chouhan | All-rounder |
| Khilan A. Patel | All-rounder |
| Mohamed Enaan | All-rounder |
| Abhigyan Kundu | Wicketkeeper |
| Harvansh Singh | Wicketkeeper |
| D. Deepesh | Bowler |
| Henil Patel | Bowler |
| Kishan Kumar Singh | Bowler |
| R.S. Ambrish | Bowler |
| Udhav Mohan | Bowler |
This squad was officially announced by the BCCI in December 2025 and by the ICC ahead of the World Cup.
Ayush Mhatre
Ayush Mhatre was India’s captain at the 2026 Under-19 World Cup.
The top-order batter was selected to lead a side containing several highly regarded young players. His leadership role was particularly important because India entered the tournament as the defending five-time champions.
Mhatre’s inclusion also reflected his position within India’s U19 setup as one of the leading batting prospects of his age group.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi was one of the most closely followed names in India’s U19 squad.
He is a left-handed batter known for his aggressive approach and ability to score quickly. His inclusion alongside Mhatre gave India considerable top-order batting depth.
Sooryavanshi was also part of India’s 2026 South Africa U19 tour squad, where he served as captain during Mhatre and Vihaan Malhotra’s injury-related absence.
Vihaan Malhotra
Vihaan Malhotra was named vice-captain for the 2026 U19 World Cup.
He is an all-round option who can contribute with both bat and ball. His versatility gives an U19 side additional flexibility when selecting its playing XI.
Malhotra initially missed India’s South Africa tour because of a wrist injury but was included in the World Cup squad after the BCCI’s injury-management period.
Aaron George
Aaron George was another important player in India’s 2026 U19 group.
The top-order all-rounder produced significant numbers during India’s U19 Asia Cup campaign before the World Cup. The ICC reported that he finished as India’s leading run-scorer in that tournament with 228 runs.
His ability to contribute with both bat and ball made him a valuable part of India’s balance.
Abhigyan Kundu
Abhigyan Kundu is a wicketkeeper-batter who attracted considerable attention during India’s U19 campaign.
One of his most notable performances came against Malaysia, when he scored an unbeaten 209 from 125 balls. According to the ICC, his innings contained 17 boundaries and nine sixes.
That innings demonstrated the attacking potential available in India’s U19 batting group.
Harvansh Singh
Harvansh Singh was selected as one of India’s wicketkeepers for the 2026 World Cup.
Having two specialist wicketkeepers gave the selectors flexibility when constructing the playing XI. The wicketkeeping position is particularly important at U19 level because players are often expected to contribute with the bat as well as provide reliable work behind the stumps.
India’s U19 Bowling Group
The World Cup squad included several specialist bowlers.
The group consisted of:
- D. Deepesh
- Henil Patel
- Kishan Kumar Singh
- R.S. Ambrish
- Udhav Mohan
India also had all-rounders capable of providing additional bowling options.
D. Deepesh was particularly notable before the World Cup. The ICC reported that he was India’s leading wicket-taker at the U19 Asia Cup, taking nine wickets.
India’s U19 All-Rounders
India’s 2026 World Cup squad had a strong group of players capable of contributing in multiple disciplines.
These included:
- Vihaan Malhotra
- Aaron George
- Kanishk Chouhan
- Khilan A. Patel
- Mohamed Enaan
The presence of several all-rounders allows the captain and coaching staff to change the team’s balance depending on pitch conditions and opposition.
For example, an extra batting option can be selected on a high-scoring pitch, while an additional bowling option can become more valuable on a surface offering movement or turn.
India U19 Wicketkeepers
The 2026 World Cup squad contained two wicketkeepers:
- Abhigyan Kundu
- Harvansh Singh
The latest 2026 Australia One-Day squad also contains wicketkeepers Rajat Baghel and Anvay Dravid.
The selection of different wicketkeepers for different tours demonstrates how India’s U19 pathway continues to evaluate players across multiple domestic and international competitions.
India U19 Captain and Vice-Captain
The leadership group depends on the tournament or tour.
For the 2026 U19 World Cup:
- Captain: Ayush Mhatre
- Vice-captain: Vihaan Malhotra
For the 2026 Australia U19 One-Day series:
- Captain: Lakshya Raichandani
- Vice-captain: Yashbardhan Chauhan
For the 2026 Australia U19 multi-day fixtures:
- Captain: Yashbardhan Chauhan
- Vice-captain: Lakshya Raichandani
This means there is no single permanent captain for every India U19 fixture. Leadership can change according to the squad, competition and selection requirements.
India U19 vs Australia U19: 2026 Schedule
The latest BCCI announcement covers five matches against Australia U19.
| Match | Date | Format | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st One-Day | September 18, 2026 | One-Day | Rajkot |
| 2nd One-Day | September 21, 2026 | One-Day | Rajkot |
| 3rd One-Day | September 23, 2026 | One-Day | Rajkot |
| 1st Multi-Day | September 27-30, 2026 | Multi-Day | Rajkot |
| 2nd Multi-Day | October 5-8, 2026 | Multi-Day | Ahmedabad |
The BCCI announced the tour as part of India’s continuing U19 international programme.
India U19 at the 2026 World Cup
India entered the 2026 ICC Men’s Under-19 World Cup with a long history of success in the competition.
The team was placed in Group B alongside:
- New Zealand
- USA
- Bangladesh
India’s scheduled group matches were against the USA on January 15, Bangladesh on January 17 and New Zealand on January 24.
The tournament was staged in Zimbabwe and Namibia.
The ICC identified India as five-time champions entering the competition, underlining the importance of the U19 World Cup within India’s development pathway.
How India Selects Under-19 Players
India’s U19 structure is not simply a single national squad.
Players can progress through several levels, including:
- State-level age-group cricket
- Domestic U19 tournaments
- Vinoo Mankad Trophy
- Cooch Behar Trophy
- Challenger competitions
- National Cricket Academy and BCCI Centre of Excellence programmes
- India U19 camps
- India U19 bilateral series
- ICC Under-19 World Cup
Selectors assess players across different formats and conditions before making international selections.
This explains why the squad for a World Cup may differ significantly from the group selected for a later bilateral tour.
What Happens After U19 Cricket?
Under-19 cricket is one of the most important stages in India’s player-development system, but selection at this level does not guarantee a senior international career.
After reaching the upper age limit, players generally move into senior domestic cricket.
The next stages can include:
- State senior teams
- Ranji Trophy
- Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy
- Vijay Hazare Trophy
- Indian Premier League
- India A
- Senior India squad
Some players make rapid progress into professional cricket, while others spend several seasons developing in domestic competitions.
Famous India U19 Players Who Reached Senior India
India’s Under-19 programme has produced many senior internationals.
Notable examples include:
- Virat Kohli
- Rohit Sharma
- Yuvraj Singh
- Mohammad Kaif
- Shikhar Dhawan
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Rishabh Pant
- Shubman Gill
- Prithvi Shaw
- Washington Sundar
Several of these players also went on to become important figures in India’s Test, ODI and T20I teams.
The U19 World Cup therefore serves both as a major international tournament and as a showcase for emerging talent.
Why U19 Cricket Is Important for India
India has one of the world’s deepest cricket talent pools, and Under-19 cricket provides an organized pathway for identifying players before they reach senior level.
The age-group system gives young cricketers exposure to:
- International opposition
- Different playing conditions
- High-pressure knockout matches
- Leadership responsibilities
- Professional coaching
- Multi-format cricket
- National-level fitness standards
Players also learn how to handle the expectations associated with representing India.
India U19 Players to Watch
Several names from the recent squads stand out because of their roles and performances.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi
An aggressive batter with a reputation for rapid scoring, Sooryavanshi is one of the prominent names in India’s recent U19 setup.
Ayush Mhatre
Mhatre’s appointment as World Cup captain highlighted his importance within the age-group system.
Abhigyan Kundu
Kundu’s 209* against Malaysia demonstrated his ability to play exceptionally long and aggressive innings.
Aaron George
His 228 runs at the U19 Asia Cup made George one of India’s leading performers heading into the World Cup.
D. Deepesh
Deepesh’s nine wickets at the U19 Asia Cup made him one of India’s leading bowling prospects before the World Cup.
India U19 Players FAQs
Who is the current captain of India’s U19 cricket team?
The captain depends on the competition. Lakshya Raichandani is captain of India’s current 2026 One-Day squad for the Australia U19 series, while Yashbardhan Chauhan leads the multi-day squad. Ayush Mhatre was India’s captain at the 2026 U19 World Cup.
Who are the main players in India’s 2026 U19 squad?
The recent India U19 squads have included players such as Lakshya Raichandani, Yashbardhan Chauhan, Kushagra Ojha, Manal Chauhan, Rohit Yadav, Abhigyan Kundu, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Ayush Mhatre, Vihaan Malhotra and Aaron George.
Who was India’s captain at the 2026 Under-19 World Cup?
Ayush Mhatre captained India at the 2026 ICC Men’s Under-19 World Cup, with Vihaan Malhotra serving as vice-captain.
Who is Vaibhav Sooryavanshi?
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is a young Indian batter who represented India at the 2026 U19 World Cup. He was also included in India’s U19 South Africa tour squad in January 2026.
How do players get selected for India’s U19 team?
Players generally progress through state and domestic age-group cricket before being identified through BCCI competitions, camps and scouting programmes. Strong performances in tournaments such as the Vinoo Mankad Trophy and other U19 competitions can lead to national selection.
Conclusion
The india national under-19 cricket team players list changes regularly because the U19 category is an age-group pathway rather than a permanent senior squad. The latest 2026 Australia series features Lakshya Raichandani, Yashbardhan Chauhan, Kushagra Ojha, Manal Chauhan, Rajat Baghel and several other emerging players.
The 2026 World Cup group featured a different leadership combination, with Ayush Mhatre as captain and Vihaan Malhotra as vice-captain, alongside prominent young talents including Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Aaron George, Abhigyan Kundu and D. Deepesh.
Together, these squads illustrate the depth of India’s youth cricket system and the continual flow of new players attempting to progress from age-group cricket into the senior domestic and international game.
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