Cricket

Tilak Varma to Lead India A in Rising Stars Asia Cup 2026

  • Authored By: Sports Now
  • Updated Nov 2, 2026, 18:51 IST

The BCCI has named a 15-member India A squad for the upcoming ACC Men's Rising Stars Asia Cup in Doha, featuring captain Tilak Varma, Abhishek Sharma, and 15-year-old talent Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.

Tilak Varma to Lead India A in Rising Stars Asia Cup 2026

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has unveiled a 15-member India A squad set to compete in the ACC Men's Rising Stars Asia Cup 2026. The tournament, which is scheduled to take place in Doha, Qatar, will run from November 19 to 29, with Tilak Varma named to lead the side as captain.

The selection committee has opted for a blend of seasoned domestic performers and emerging young talent. Rajat Patidar has been appointed as the vice-captain, providing leadership support to Varma. The squad includes several players who recently participated in the senior team's T20I series against New Zealand, bringing valuable international experience to the setup.

A Balanced Squad with Explosive Potential

The batting lineup is headlined by the inclusion of explosive opener Abhishek Sharma and 15-year-old batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. Their presence is expected to provide significant firepower at the top of the order. The middle order will be anchored by the leadership duo of Varma and Patidar, while Rinku Singh has been included to serve as the team's primary finisher. Wicketkeeping duties will be shared by Prabhsimran Singh and Kumar Kushagra.

The all-rounders' contingent is well-represented, featuring Suryansh Shedge, Shahbaz Ahmed, Vipraj Nigam, Harsh Dubey, and Tanush Kotian, offering the team tactical flexibility with both bat and ball. The pace bowling department will be spearheaded by Harshit Rana, supported by Prince Yadav and Arshad Khan.

Tournament Path and Group Stage Fixtures

India A has been drawn into Group B for the tournament, alongside Pakistan A, Nepal, and the United Arab Emirates. The team is set to open their campaign against Nepal on November 20 at the West End Park International Stadium. This will be followed by a high-profile clash against Pakistan A at the same venue on November 22, before concluding their group-stage commitments against the UAE on November 24.

The tournament structure sees Group A consisting of Bangladesh A, Sri Lanka A, Afghanistan A, and Hong Kong, China. The top two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals, which are slated for November 26 and 27, leading up to the final on November 29. With a mix of established international players and rising stars, the team aims to make a significant impact in the competition.