Tilak Varma named captain, Rajat Patidar vice-captain in India A's squad for Asia Cup Rising Stars 2026

Tilak Varma has been named captain of the India A squad for the ACC Rising Stars Asia Cup 2026, with Rajat Patidar appointed as his deputy. The Board of Control for Cricket in India's Men's Selection Committee announced the 15-member squad on November 2.

The tournament runs from November 19 to 29 in Doha, Qatar. India A have been placed in Group B alongside Pakistan A, Nepal and the United Arab Emirates, while Group A comprises Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Hong Kong and China. The top two sides from each group will advance to the semi-finals, scheduled for November 26 and 27, with the final set for November 29.

Pakistan are the defending champions, having won the 2025 edition by defeating Bangladesh in a Super Over final. The 2026 edition is the second running of the tournament under the Rising Stars Asia Cup name and the eighth overall in the ACC Emerging/Rising Stars Asia Cup series.

Where will India play their group-stage matches?

India open their campaign against Nepal on November 20 at West End Park International Stadium in Doha. Their high-profile Group B clash against Pakistan A follows on November 22, also at West End Park International Stadium. India round off the group stage against the UAE on November 24 at the University of Doha for Science and Technology ground.

India reached the semi-finals of the 2025 edition after progressing through a strong group-stage campaign, though they did not go on to win the title that year.

Who are the notable names in India's 15-member squad?

The squad features several players with senior India experience alongside emerging talent. Abhishek Sharma and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi are named as openers, while Prabhsimran Singh and Kumar Kushagra provide two wicketkeeper options. Rinku Singh, Suryansh Shedge and Shahbaz Ahmed add middle-order depth, with Vipraj Nigam, Harsh Dubey and Tanush Kotian covering the spin-bowling options. The pace attack includes Harshit Rana, Prince Yadav and Arshad Khan. The squad was selected by the Men's Selection Committee under the Asian Cricket Council's framework for the Rising Stars Asia Cup.

India A full squad for ACC Rising Stars Asia Cup 2026

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.