Spin-bowling all-rounder Mohamed Enaan and seam-bowling all-rounder R.S. Ambrish have been recalled as the BCCI announced a 15-member squad for the Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2026, to be held in Zimbabwe and Namibia from January 15 to February 6.
Two changes have been made to the squad that played in the Asia Cup. Leg-spinner Naman Pushpak and wicketkeeper-batter Yuvraj Gohil, both of whom did not play a single game in the Asia Cup, have made way for Enaan and Ambrish.
Vice-captain Vihaan Malhotra, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Aaron George, Vedant Trivedi and first-choice wicketkeeper-batter Abhigyan Kundu form a strong batting core. In the bowling department, Henil Patel, D. Deepesh, Kishan Kumar Singh and Udhav Mohan are the frontline pacers, while Enaan, Kanishk Chouhan and Khilan Patel are the spinners.
Despite losing the Asia Cup final to Pakistan, the junior selection committee has kept faith in Ayush Mhatre’s leadership.
India have been placed in Group B with Bangladesh, New Zealand, and the USA. The five-time champions will open their campaign against the USA in Bulawayo on January 15, before taking on Bangladesh on January 17 and New Zealand on January 24.
Before the World Cup, India will play a three-match series in South Africa. Mhatre and Malhotra will miss the series due to injury concerns. Both players will report to the Centre of Excellence (CoE) before linking up with the squad ahead of the World Cup.
In Mhatre’s absence, Sooryavanshi will lead the side in the series, with George serving as his deputy.
Squad for South Africa ODIs:
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 Kumar.
Squad for Under-19 World Cup:
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.
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