India (India A) named a very strong squad for the upcoming Rising Asia Cup 2026 as they continue to prepare for the 2027 Cricket World Cup, with Tilak Varma set to lead the team, while Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has been included.
Rajat Patidar has been named as the vice-captain of the team, along with Abhishek Sharma and Harshit Rana also included.
This means Sooryavanshi and Abhishek are likely to open the batting just days after they put up a world record partnership of 133 runs in just 43 balls against New Zealand in the third T20I before the 15-year-old was dropped from the playing XI. The duo record an unprecedented tally of 118 runs in the format. While both are proven performers in T20 cricket and widely regarded as two of the best players in the shortest format, question remains on whether they can excel in 50-over cricket too.
After impressing against Australia-A last month, focus will be on Suryavanshi Shedge as India continue to find back-ups for Hardik Pandya as a pace-bowling all-rounder. As far as spin bowling all-rounders are concerned, the next in line will be tested with Vipraj Nigam, Shahbaz Nadeem, Harsh Dubey, and Tanush Kotian all selected.
Prince Yadav will be the lead pacer alongside the fit-again Harshit as he aims to show he can replicate his brilliant T20 form in the longer format too. As far as Harshit is concerned, he has had a string of injuries this year and will aim to prove he is ready for top-level cricket again.
The competition will be played in the 50-over format this time around after a T20I event last year. Doha will host the event, which will take place from November 19 to 29, 2026. The Men in Blue are placed in Group A alongside Pakistan A as well as the UAE and Nepal (all associate teams will play their senior national team).
India will play their first game against Nepal on November 20 at the West End International Park before facing arch-rivals Pakistan-A on November 22 at the same venue. Their final game of the first round will be against UAE at the University of Doha for Science and Technology. Both the semi-finals (November 26 and 27) and the final (November 29) will be played at the West End International Park.
India A squad for Rising Stars Asia Cup: Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Prabhsimran Singh [WK], Tilak Varma [C], Rajat Patidar [VC], Rinku Singh, Kumar Kushagra [WK], Suryansh Shedge, Shahbaz Ahmed, Vipraj Nigam, Harsh Dubey, Tanush Kotian, Harshit Rana, Prince Yadav, Arshad Khan.