The India A squad for Rising Stars Asia Cup 2026 has been announced, with Tilak Varma appointed captain of a 15-member team featuring several exciting names from Indian cricket. Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Rinku Singh are among the prominent players selected for the upcoming tournament, while Rajat Patidar will serve as vice-captain.
The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) Rising Stars Asia Cup 2026 will be played in Doha, Qatar, from November 19 to 29. India A have been placed in Group B alongside Pakistan A, Nepal and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). With several players having experience at the international level, India will be looking to make a strong impression in the competition.
The biggest talking point from the squad announcement is the appointment of Tilak Varma as captain. The left-handed batter has become an important part of India’s limited-overs setup, and the tournament will provide another opportunity for him to demonstrate his leadership abilities.
India A squad for Rising Stars Asia Cup 2026
The BCCI has selected a balanced squad featuring experienced campaigners, young batting prospects and multiple bowling options. Rajat Patidar has been named vice-captain, while Prabhsimran Singh and Kumar Kushagra are the two wicketkeeping options.
Here is the complete India A squad for Rising Stars Asia Cup 2026:
- Tilak Varma (Captain)
- Rajat Patidar (Vice-Captain)
- Abhishek Sharma
- Vaibhav Sooryavanshi
- Prabhsimran Singh (Wicketkeeper)
- Rinku Singh
- Kumar Kushagra (Wicketkeeper)
- Suryansh Shedge
- Shahbaz Ahmed
- Vipraj Nigam
- Harsh Dubey
- Tanush Kotian
- Harshit Rana
- Prince Yadav
- Arshad Khan
The selection highlights India’s intention to combine international experience with emerging domestic talent. The squad has batting depth, pace options and several spin-bowling resources, giving the captain flexibility throughout the competition.
Abhishek Sharma and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi add firepower
The inclusion of Abhishek Sharma in the India A squad is particularly interesting. Known for his aggressive batting approach, Abhishek has established himself as one of India’s attacking top-order options in T20 cricket. His ability to score quickly during the powerplay could make a difference in the tournament.
The Vaibhav Sooryavanshi India A squad selection is another major attraction. The young left-handed batter has gained attention for his fearless approach and impressive ability to score boundaries against experienced bowlers. Playing alongside established names such as Abhishek Sharma and Rinku Singh will offer him another valuable opportunity to showcase his potential.
Rinku Singh will add finishing experience to the batting lineup, while Rajat Patidar provides another reliable middle-order option. Tilak Varma’s responsibility will be to bring these different batting strengths together and guide the team through the competition.
Harshit Rana returns as India prepare for 50-over cricket
Harshit Rana’s selection is another important development ahead of the tournament. The fast-bowling all-rounder has been unavailable since July 2026 because of injury and will be looking to make a successful return through the Rising Stars Asia Cup.
Prince Yadav and Arshad Khan provide additional pace-bowling options, while Shahbaz Ahmed, Vipraj Nigam, Harsh Dubey and Tanush Kotian strengthen the team’s spin department.
Unlike the previous edition, the Rising Stars Asia Cup 2026 will be played in the 50-over format. The competition’s format follows the senior men’s World Cup cycle. With the next ODI World Cup scheduled for 2027, the ACC has opted for one-day cricket this time.
This change will test the players’ ability to build innings, maintain scoring momentum and deliver consistent performances across 50 overs.
India A vs Pakistan A 2026: Full group-stage schedule
The India A vs Pakistan A 2026 encounter is expected to be one of the most anticipated matches of the group stage. The two sides will meet on November 22 at the West End Park International Stadium in Doha.
India A will begin their campaign against Nepal on November 20 before facing Pakistan A. Their final group-stage fixture will be against the UAE on November 24.
India A group-stage fixtures (IST):
| Date | Match | Time |
|---|---|---|
| November 20 | India A vs Nepal | 3:30 PM |
| November 22 | India A vs Pakistan A | 3:30 PM |
| November 24 | India A vs UAE | 11:30 AM |
Group A features Bangladesh A, Hong Kong, Sri Lanka A and Afghanistan A. The top two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals.
The first semi-final will take place on November 26, followed by the second semi-final on November 27. The final is scheduled for November 29.
India A aim to go one step further after 2025 disappointment
India A will be determined to improve their performance after falling short in the previous edition. The team, led by Jitesh Sharma in 2025, failed to reach the final after losing in the semi-finals. India had also suffered a defeat against Pakistan during the group stage.
Pakistan eventually won the 2025 tournament, continuing their strong record in the competition.
India have now selected a squad featuring several players with senior international experience and promising young performers. The combination of Tilak Varma’s captaincy, Abhishek Sharma’s attacking batting and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s fearless approach will be among the major talking points.
The challenge will be to turn individual performances into consistent team results, particularly against Pakistan A and other competitive sides.
With the Rising Stars Asia Cup 2026 schedule now confirmed, Indian cricket fans will be eager to see how this talented group performs in Doha.
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