India A Squad for Rising Stars Asia Cup 2026 Announced: Tilak Varma Named Captain, Vaibhav and Abhishek Included
Rising Stars Asia Cup 2026 India Squad: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced a 15-member India A squad for the Men's Rising Stars Asia Cup 2026, scheduled to begin on November 19 in Doha, Qatar. Young batting star Tilak Varma has been appointed captain, while experienced middle-order batter Rajat Patidar will serve as vice-captain.
The squad features an exciting combination of established T20 performers and emerging Indian cricketers. Explosive opening batters Abhishek Sharma and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi have been included, alongside Rinku Singh, Harshit Rana and several promising domestic players.
India A will compete against Pakistan A, Nepal and the United Arab Emirates in Group B. The tournament final is scheduled for November 29, making the competition an important opportunity for India's emerging talent to perform on the continental stage.
Tilak Varma to Lead India A in Rising Stars Asia Cup 2026
The Indian men's selection committee has handed the captaincy to Tilak Varma, recognising his growing experience in international T20 cricket.
Tilak has established himself as a talented left-handed batter capable of adapting to different match situations. His ability to build innings while maintaining an aggressive scoring approach makes him an important player in the shorter format.
As captain, he will be responsible for guiding a squad featuring both internationally experienced players and young cricketers looking to strengthen their credentials.
Rajat Patidar has been named vice-captain. The experienced batter brings valuable domestic and franchise cricket experience to the leadership group.
His presence is expected to provide additional stability to India's middle order.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Abhishek Sharma Strengthen India's Batting
One of the biggest talking points surrounding the squad announcement is the selection of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Abhishek Sharma.
The 15-year-old Vaibhav has attracted considerable attention for his fearless batting approach and ability to score quickly.
According to the source report, the young batter recently featured in two T20 matches against New Zealand.
His inclusion provides India A with an attacking option at the top of the batting order.
Abhishek Sharma, meanwhile, has already developed a reputation as an aggressive T20 opener.
Known for his powerful stroke play and ability to attack bowlers during the powerplay, Abhishek could play an important role in helping India establish strong starts.
The combination of Abhishek and Vaibhav gives India A considerable attacking potential in the opening overs.
Rinku Singh Returns to the Spotlight
Middle-order batter Rinku Singh has also been selected for the upcoming tournament.
Rinku is widely recognised for his ability to finish matches under pressure, particularly when chasing challenging targets.
His experience in high-pressure T20 situations could be valuable for a relatively young squad.
The left-handed batter was not included in India's T20 squad for the New Zealand tour, according to the report, making the Rising Stars Asia Cup another opportunity to showcase his abilities.
Alongside Rinku, India A have selected Suryansh Shedge and other players capable of contributing during the middle and final overs.
Harshit Rana Set for Comeback After Injury
Fast bowler Harshit Rana is another notable inclusion in the India A squad.
According to the report, Rana has been sidelined by injury since the England tour and is expected to return to competitive action during the tournament in Doha.
His pace and aggressive bowling style could strengthen India's attack, particularly against teams with powerful batting line-ups.
Prince Yadav has also earned a place in the squad after featuring during the New Zealand tour.
India A's bowling resources include several players who can contribute in different phases of a T20 match.
Shahbaz Ahmed, Vipraj Nigam, Harsh Dubey and Tanush Kotian provide spin-bowling and all-round options.
Their presence gives the team management flexibility when selecting combinations for different playing conditions.
India A Full Squad for Rising Stars Asia Cup 2026
The 15-member squad announced for the tournament is as follows:
-
Tilak Varma (Captain)
-
Abhishek Sharma
-
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi
-
Prabhsimran Singh (Wicketkeeper)
-
Rajat Patidar (Vice-Captain)
-
Rinku Singh
-
Kumar Kushagra (Wicketkeeper)
-
Suryansh Shedge
-
Shahbaz Ahmed
-
Vipraj Nigam
-
Harsh Dubey
-
Tanush Kotian
-
Harshit Rana
-
Prince Yadav
-
Arshad Khan
Prabhsimran Singh and Kumar Kushagra have been selected as the two wicketkeeping options.
The squad offers a combination of attacking batters, all-rounders, spin bowlers and fast bowlers, allowing the team management to experiment with different playing combinations.
Rising Stars Asia Cup 2026: Groups and Participating Teams
The competition will feature eight teams divided into two groups.
| Group A | Group B |
|---|---|
| Bangladesh A | India A |
| Sri Lanka | Pakistan A |
| Afghanistan | United Arab Emirates |
| Hong Kong, China | Nepal |
According to the announced format, the top two teams from each group will qualify for the semifinals.
The winners of the semifinal matches will compete in the final on November 29.
India A's group-stage campaign will attract considerable attention, particularly because of the highly anticipated meeting with Pakistan A.
Matches against Nepal and the UAE will also be important as India look to secure a place in the knockout stage.
Rising Stars Asia Cup 2026: Important Tournament Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Tournament begins | November 19, 2026 |
| Venue | Doha, Qatar |
| Group stage | Begins November 19 |
| Semifinals | Schedule to be confirmed |
| Final | November 29, 2026 |
The detailed match schedule, including India A's fixtures and match timings, should be checked through official tournament announcements.
Major Changes in India A Squad Compared With 2025
The selection committee has made significant changes to the India A squad compared with the previous edition.
Only three players from the 2025 squad have retained their places for the 2026 competition.
These are Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Suryansh Shedge and Harsh Dubey.
Several players who featured in the previous squad have not been selected this time.
The list includes Priyansh Arya, Abishek Porel, Ashutosh Sharma, Nehal Wadhera, Ramandeep Singh, Suyash Sharma, Gurjapneet Singh, Yudhvir Singh, Yash Thakur and Vijaykumar Vyshak.
In the previous edition, Jitesh Sharma led India A, with Naman Dhir serving as vice-captain.
The appointment of Tilak Varma and Rajat Patidar therefore represents a new leadership combination for the upcoming tournament.
Why the Rising Stars Asia Cup Matters for Indian Cricket
The Rising Stars Asia Cup provides emerging cricketers with an opportunity to compete against international opposition in a competitive tournament environment.
For young players such as Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, the competition offers valuable experience against different bowling attacks and playing styles.
Meanwhile, established performers including Abhishek Sharma, Rinku Singh and Tilak Varma can use the tournament to demonstrate their consistency and leadership qualities.
The event could also help selectors assess players who may be considered for future international assignments.
Strong performances in continental competitions can improve a player's prospects, although selection for the senior national team depends on several factors.
Conclusion
India A have named an exciting squad for the Men's Rising Stars Asia Cup 2026, combining aggressive batting talent with experienced T20 performers and promising bowlers.
Tilak Varma's appointment as captain, Rajat Patidar's role as vice-captain and the inclusion of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Abhishek Sharma and Rinku Singh are among the major highlights.
Harshit Rana's anticipated return adds further interest to the bowling department.
With Pakistan A, Nepal and the UAE placed alongside India A in Group B, the team will face important challenges as it attempts to progress to the semifinals.
The tournament begins in Doha on November 19, with the final scheduled for November 29.
Editorial Note: This article has been rewritten from the supplied report. Squad details, tournament dates and player availability should be cross-checked against the latest official BCCI and Asian Cricket Council announcements before publication.