Ayush Mhatre to lead, Vaibhav Suryavanshi included as India announce squad for U-19 Asia Cup

New Delhi: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced the U19 team for the Men's U19 Asia Cup, scheduled to take place in Dubai from December 12 to 21, 2025. Chennai Super Kings (CSK) batter Ayush Mhatre will lead the squad after captaining the U19 team throughout the year.

Explosive batter Vaibhav Suryavanshi also returns to the U19 squad for the tournament, which will be played in the one-day format. The 14-year-old last played in the multi-format tour in Australia, and recently delivered a brilliant performance in the Rising Stars Asia Cup.

All-rounder Vihaan Manoj Malhotra was named as Mhatre's deputy in the U19 Asia Cup. India have been drawn along with arch-rivals Pakistan in the tournament. Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka, along with a qualifying team, are part of Group B.

Mhatre and Suryavanshi are not part of the ongoing U19 50-over tri-series in Bengaluru, which also features a junior team from Afghanistan. Ayush is currently participating in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy for Mumbai, while Vaibhav recently played in the Rising Stars Asia Cup.

Their return is expected to strengthen the team’s batting as India prepare for the tournament in Dubai. The squad announcement comes amid competition for places in the team, with Rahul Dravid's son, Anvay Dravid, not being included in the side for the Asia Cup.

Ayush Mhatre (C), Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Vihaan Malhotra (vc), Vedant Trivedi, Abhigyan Kundu (wk), Harvansh Singh (wk), Yuvraj Gohil, Kanishk Chouhan, Khilan A. Patel, Naman Pushpak, D. Deepesh, Henil Patel, Kishan Kumar Singh* (Subject to fitness), Udhav Mohan, Aaron George.

Standby players: Rahul Kumar, Hemchudeshan J, B.K. Kishore, Aditya Rawat.

Group A: India, Pakistan, Qualifier 1, Qualifier 3

Group B: Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Qualifier 2