Overview
- The BCCI’s Junior Cricket Committee announced separate 15-member squads for a three-match South Africa ODI tour and the ICC U19 World Cup 2026.
- Ayush Mhatre will captain the World Cup side with Vihaan Malhotra as vice-captain, but both are sidelined from the South Africa trip with wrist injuries and will report to the BCCI Centre of Excellence before rejoining for the tournament.
- Vaibhav Suryavanshi has been appointed captain for the South Africa ODIs on January 3, 5 and 7 at Willowmoore Park in Benoni, with Aaron George named vice-captain.
- India are in Group B with the USA, Bangladesh and New Zealand and will open their World Cup campaign against the USA on January 15 in Bulawayo; the event runs January 15 to February 6 with a Super Six phase, semifinals and a final in Harare.
- Suryavanshi is included in the World Cup squad after a breakout year highlighted by a 190 off 84 balls and a 36-ball List A century reported in domestic competition.