The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the 15-member squad for the 2026 Under-19 World Cup on December 27. Ayush Mhatre, who has been the cornerstone of the junior team's leadership, will take on the captain's role with Vihaan Malhotra as the vice-captain. Earlier injuries sidelined both players, giving Vaibhav Suryavanshi the opportunity to captivate audiences with his leadership in the youth One-Day series against South Africa.
Steering the ship in the concluded series on January 7, Vaibhav Suryavanshi showcased his prowess by leading the team to a decisive 3-0 sweep. His dynamic batting earned him the 'Player of the Match' title as he smashed a ferocious century. In the three-match series, he amassed 206 runs with an average of 68.66 and a strike rate of 187.27.
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While he was the captain for the African series, Vaibhav is not in the World Cup captaincy. Injuries kept Ayush and Vihaan away from the South Africa matches. However, Vaibhav continues his ascent as vice-captain of the Bihar team and is seen as a potential leader in domestic cricket. He is also a valued player for the Rajasthan Royals in the IPL.
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The Indian Under-19 team will face the USA in its inaugural match on January 15, followed by Bangladesh on January 17, and concluding their league matches against New Zealand on January 24. The grand finale is set for February 6. The World Cup games will be passionately contested in Namibia's capital, Windhoek, as well as in Harare and Bulawayo in Zimbabwe.
