The next generation of Indian cricket will be in the spotlight when the ACC Men’s Under-19 Asia Cup 2026 gets underway in Oman on November 5. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced a 15-member squad for the tournament, with Anvay Dravid and Aaryavir Sehwag among the notable selections.
India will be led by Lakshya Raichandani, while Yashbardhan Singh Chauhan has been appointed vice-captain. The inclusion of Anvay, son of former India captain and head coach Rahul Dravid, and Aaryavir, son of legendary opening batter Virender Sehwag, has attracted considerable attention.
Both youngsters have impressed with their performances in domestic age-group cricket and will now have an opportunity to demonstrate their abilities on a bigger stage. India will compete in Group A alongside arch-rivals Pakistan, Nepal and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup 2026 will run from November 5 to November 14 in Muscat, Oman. India will begin its campaign against Nepal on November 6 before facing Pakistan in one of the most anticipated group-stage matches on November 8.
Anvay Dravid and Aaryavir Sehwag impress with their performances
Anvay Dravid has attracted attention through his performances as a wicketkeeper-batter. The 17-year-old represents Karnataka and recently showcased his batting ability in the Vinoo Mankad Trophy.
He produced several impressive innings during the competition, including a remarkable 151 off 100 balls against Gujarat. He also scored 88 off 41 balls against Delhi and followed it up with 104 off 62 deliveries against Chandigarh.
These performances highlighted his ability to score quickly and build substantial innings. His wicketkeeping skills provide another option for the Indian team, with the youngster selected as one of the two wicketkeepers in the squad.
Aaryavir Sehwag, meanwhile, has been making progress as an opening batter for Delhi. He demonstrated his run-scoring ability in the Vinoo Mankad Trophy, registering 173 off 143 balls against Chandigarh.
He also scored 54 against Gujarat and 46 against Himachal Pradesh. His ability to play long innings while maintaining a healthy scoring rate makes him an interesting prospect for India’s top order.
Both players were also part of India’s Under-19 squad for the three-match Youth ODI series against Australia in September 2026. Aaryavir featured in all three matches, scoring 109 runs at an average of 36.33. Anvay played two matches and accumulated 47 runs.
Who are India’s other key players?
Apart from Anvay and Aaryavir, India have several promising players who could make a significant contribution during the tournament.
Captain Lakshya Raichandani will be an important figure in the batting department. He impressed during the Youth Test series against Australia, scoring 250 runs across three innings, including a remarkable 240.
Vice-captain Yashbardhan Singh Chauhan is another batter worth watching. He scored 176 runs in two innings during the Youth ODI series against Australia, including a century in the second match.
Kushagra Ojha and Manal Chauhan are also expected to strengthen India’s batting options. The team will need contributions from across the lineup, particularly against Pakistan, whose bowling attack could provide a stern examination.
India U19 Asia Cup 2026 schedule: When will India play Pakistan?
India have been placed in Group A, while Group B features Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Malaysia.
The top two teams from each group will qualify for the semi-finals. Both semi-final matches are scheduled for November 12, with the tournament final taking place on November 14.
Here is India’s complete group-stage schedule (all matches begin at 10:30 AM IST):
| Date | Match | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| November 6 | India vs Nepal | Muscat |
| November 8 | India vs Pakistan | Muscat |
| November 10 | India vs UAE | Muscat |
The India vs Pakistan U19 Asia Cup 2026 match will be particularly important, as Pakistan enter the competition as defending champions. Their previous meeting in the 2025 final ended in a 191-run victory for Pakistan.
India will be keen to deliver a stronger performance this time and establish themselves as serious contenders for the trophy.
Full India U19 squad for Asia Cup 2026
The BCCI has selected the following 15 players for the tournament:
- Lakshya Raichandani (Captain)
- Yashbardhan Singh Chauhan (Vice-captain)
- Aaryavir Sehwag
- V.K. Vineeth
- Kushagra Ojha
- Arjun Rajput
- Manal Chauhan
- Anvay Dravid (Wicketkeeper)
- Rajat Baghel (Wicketkeeper)
- V. Yashveer
- Aryan Savsani
- Mohit Ulva
- Kavya Patel
- Shavin Vinod
- Ishan Sood
India enter the tournament with confidence
India’s Under-19 side will arrive at the competition with encouraging recent results. The team won the ICC Men’s Under-19 Cricket World Cup in February 2026, defeating England by 100 runs in the final to secure a record-extending sixth title.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi was the standout performer in that final, smashing 175 off just 80 deliveries. However, the Asia Cup will provide a fresh challenge for India’s next generation, with different conditions and strong opposition.
Pakistan, in particular, will be determined to defend their continental crown. Bangladesh and Sri Lanka will also be among the teams looking to challenge for the title.
For Anvay Dravid and Aaryavir Sehwag, the tournament represents an important opportunity to build their reputations beyond domestic cricket. Their famous surnames will naturally attract attention, but consistent performances with the bat will ultimately determine their impact.
With the India-Pakistan clash scheduled for November 8, young Indian cricket fans have plenty to look forward to. Stay tuned to ROKOCRICKET for the latest U19 Asia Cup 2026 news, team updates, match previews and cricket coverage. Don’t forget to subscribe and follow us for more updates.
