The Board of Control for Cricket in India has officially announced the 15-member India A squad for the upcoming ACC Rising Stars Asia Cup 2026. Tilak Varma has been appointed as the captain of the side, while Rajat Patidar will serve as the vice-captain for the tournament. The event is scheduled to be held in Doha, Qatar, from November 19 to November 29, featuring several rising talents including Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.
Squad Selection and Leadership Roles
The senior selection committee of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has finalized the 15-member India A squad for the ACC Rising Stars Asia Cup 2026. Tilak Varma has been given the responsibility of leading the team as captain during this international assignment. Supporting him in a leadership role will be Rajat Patidar, who has been named the vice-captain. The squad includes a mix of explosive batters and disciplined bowlers. Notable inclusions in the team are Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Abhishek Sharma, and Rinku Singh. The selection committee has also included Harshit Rana to bolster the pace attack. This squad represents a strategic selection of players who have shown consistent performance in domestic and age-group cricket, providing them a significant platform to showcase their skills on an international stage.
Detailed Player List and Roles
The 15-member India A squad consists of Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Prabhsimran Singh (Wicketkeeper), Tilak Varma (Captain), Rajat Patidar (Vice-Captain), Rinku Singh, and Kumar Kushagra (Wicketkeeper). The team features two wicketkeeping options in Prabhsimran Singh and Kumar Kushagra to ensure flexibility in the playing eleven. The all-round and bowling department includes Suryansh Shedge, Shahbaz Ahmed, Vipraj Nigam, Harsh Dubey, Tanush Kotian, Harshit Rana, Prince Yadav, and Arshad Khan. The presence of multiple spin-bowling options like Shahbaz Ahmed and Tanush Kotian suggests that the team is prepared for the conditions in Doha. Harshit Rana, along with Prince Yadav and Arshad Khan, will form the core of the fast-bowling unit, aiming to provide early breakthroughs in the tournament.
Tournament Format and Groupings
The ACC Rising Stars Asia Cup 2026 will feature a total of eight teams competing for the title in Doha, Qatar. These teams have been divided into two groups, Group A and Group B. India A has been placed in Group B alongside Pakistan A, Nepal, and the UAE. Group A consists of Bangladesh A, Sri Lanka A, Afghanistan A, and Hong Kong China. The tournament structure dictates that the top two teams from each group will progress to the semifinal stage. The semifinals are scheduled to take place on November 26 and November 27. The final match of the tournament, which will determine the champion, is set to be played on Sunday, November 29. This format ensures a highly competitive environment where every group match carries significant weight for qualification.
India A Match Schedule and Venues
India A will begin their campaign in the tournament on November 20 with a match against Nepal. This will be followed by a high-profile encounter against Pakistan A on November 22. The final group stage match for the Indian team is scheduled against the UAE on November 24. The venues for these matches have been confirmed by the organizers in Doha. The matches against Nepal and Pakistan A will be hosted at the West End Park International Stadium. The final league fixture against the UAE will take place at the University of Doha for Science and Technology. These venues are expected to provide a neutral ground for all participating nations as they compete in the capital city of Qatar.
Path to the Final and Significance
The ACC Rising Stars Asia Cup serves as a crucial stepping stone for young cricketers in the Asian region. For the 15 players selected in the India A squad, this tournament offers an opportunity to gain international experience and perform under pressure. The journey starts with the group stage matches from November 20 to November 24. Success in these matches will lead the team to the knockout stages, with the semifinals being the penultimate hurdle before the grand finale on November 29. The inclusion of players like Rinku Singh and Abhishek Sharma, who have already made a mark in various formats, adds a layer of experience to the young squad led by Tilak Varma. As the tournament approaches, the focus remains on the strategic preparation and execution of plans in the diverse conditions of Doha.
Source / स्रोत: Aaj Tak
