The Indian Under-19 cricket team has been officially announced for the upcoming ACC U19 Asia Cup, with the tournament scheduled to kick off in December. On Friday, the squad was revealed, featuring a mix of seasoned young talents and promising newcomers. Ayush Mhatre has been appointed as the captain of the team, while Vihan Malhotra will serve as the vice-captain. Notably, 14-year-old prodigy Vaibhav Suryavanshi has also earned a place in the squad, showcasing his remarkable potential at such a young age.
A significant highlight of the selection is the representation from the state of Gujarat. A total of five players from Gujarat have made it to the national Under-19 team. This includes three players from the Gujarat Cricket Association (GCA) – Vedant Trivedi, Henil Patel, and Khilan Patel – and two from the Saurashtra Cricket Association (SCA) – Harvansh Singh and Yuvraj Gohil. Their inclusion underscores the continued contribution of Gujarat to Indian cricket at the junior level.
ACC U19 Asia Cup: Group Stage Draw
The ACC U19 Asia Cup features eight competitive teams, divided into two groups. Group A comprises India, Pakistan, Qualifier 1, and Qualifier 3, while Group B consists of Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, and Qualifier 2. India has been placed in Group A, setting up highly anticipated encounters with regional rivals, particularly Pakistan.
India’s Match Schedule
The tournament begins on December 12, with India taking on Qualifier 1 at the ICC Academy. The team’s second match is slated for December 14, where India will face arch-rivals Pakistan, also at the ICC Academy. India’s other group match will be against Qualifier 3 on December 16 at The Savens.
The semifinals are scheduled for December 19, featuring matchups between Group A and Group B qualifiers: A1 vs B2 at ICC Academy and B1 vs A2 at The Savens. The final of the tournament is scheduled for December 21, with the venue yet to be confirmed.
Full Indian Squad for ACC U19 Asia Cup
The squad announced for the ACC U19 Asia Cup reflects a balanced mix of experienced and emerging players:
- Captain: Ayush Mhatre
- Vice-Captain: Vihan Malhotra
- Vaibhav Suryavanshi
- Vedant Trivedi
- Abhigyan Kundu (Wicketkeeper)
- Harvansh Singh
- Yuvraj Gohil
- Kanishk Chauhan
- Khilan Patel
- Naman Pushpak
- Dipesh Devendran
- Henil Patel
- Kishan Kumar Singh
- Udhav Mohan
- Aaron George
Standby Players: Rahul Kumar, Hemchaudesan, BK Kishore, Aditya Rawat
This lineup combines technical skill, athletic ability, and strategic understanding, aimed at securing India’s eighth ACC U19 Asia Cup title.
Tournament Kickoff and India’s Role
The ACC U19 Asia Cup will officially begin with India’s opening match against Qualifier 1 on December 12. Positioned in Group A, India is expected to be a strong contender, alongside Pakistan and the qualifier teams. Group B features Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Afghanistan, creating a highly competitive tournament landscape.
The highlight for fans will be the high-stakes India vs Pakistan clash on December 14, which always draws significant attention due to the historic rivalry between the two cricketing nations.
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History of the ACC U19 Asia Cup
The ACC U19 Asia Cup was first held in 1989 in Bangladesh. Over its 36-year history, the tournament has seen 12 editions, with India emerging as the most successful team. The Indian Under-19 team has clinched the title seven times outright and shared the trophy once with Pakistan. Other winners include Bangladesh with two titles, and Pakistan and Afghanistan with one title each.
India’s dominance in the tournament reflects the country’s strong youth development programs and its ongoing commitment to nurturing cricketing talent from an early age. The inclusion of players like Vaibhav Suryavanshi at just 14 years old demonstrates India’s focus on identifying and promoting prodigious talent for the future of national cricket.
Conclusion
As the ACC U19 Asia Cup approaches, expectations are high for the Indian squad. With a blend of emerging talent and experienced juniors, the team is poised to continue India’s legacy of excellence in the tournament. Cricket enthusiasts will be eagerly following India’s journey from the group stages to the final, particularly keeping an eye on the promising players from Gujarat who have earned national recognition.
With the first match set for December 12 and the final on December 21, the ACC U19 Asia Cup promises an exciting fortnight of competitive cricket, showcasing some of the brightest young talents in Asia. Fans across the region will be watching closely to see if India can extend its record as the most successful team in the history of the tournament.
