Ayush Mhatre to Lead India at Under-19 Asia Cup in Dubai

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced the 15-member squad for the ACC Men's Under-19 Asia Cup, which begins on December 12 in Dubai. Young Mumbai batter Ayush Mhatre has been chosen as the captain of the Indian team, while Vihaan Malhotra will serve as his vice-captain. The tournament will be played in the one-day format and will feature the top youth teams from across Asia.Along with Mhatre and Malhotra, the squad includes several promising young players. Aggressive opening batter Vaibhav Suryavanshi has also been named in the team, adding strength to the top order. The selection reflects India’s focus on developing strong backup talent for the future, especially with two wicketkeepers, Abhigyan Kundu and Harvansh Singh, also included.

India is placed in Group A with Pakistan and two qualifying teams. Group B will feature Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, and another qualifier. India will begin their campaign on December 12 against one of the qualifiers.

Although Mhatre has been given the captaincy, his recent cricket form has been inconsistent. During IPL 2025, he impressed with the Chennai Super Kings after replacing injured Ruturaj Gaikwad. Mhatre scored 240 runs in seven matches, striking at an impressive rate of nearly 189. His power-hitting and confidence during the IPL earned him praise and helped him secure a place among India’s top youth prospects.

However, after the IPL, Mhatre struggled to maintain the same form in international youth tours. In England, he managed only 27 runs in four one-day matches. But he bounced back strongly in the Youth Test series, finishing as the top-scorer with 340 runs. This performance displayed his ability to handle pressure and adapt to different formats.

During the tour of Australia, Mhatre again faced challenges, scoring just 10 runs in three one-day matches and 38 runs in the Youth Tests. His domestic season also saw ups and downs, where he scored only 156 runs in four first-class games, including a match for India A against South Africa A. In the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, he scored 18 runs against Railways.

Despite his uneven form, selectors have shown faith in Mhatre’s leadership skills and potential. His experience of playing in competitive leagues and international youth series makes him a suitable choice to lead the squad. The Asia Cup will give him another chance to regain consistency and prove his ability as a captain and performer.

The Under-19 Asia Cup is known for discovering future cricket stars. India has a strong history in the tournament, and with a balanced squad, the team will aim to dominate this year as well. The presence of strong bowling options, skilled all-rounders, and technically sound batters gives India confidence ahead of the competition.

Ayush Mhatre (capt), Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Vihaan Malhotra (vice-capt), Vedant Trivedi, Abhigyan Kundu (wk), Harvansh Singh (wk), Yuvraj Gohil, Kanishk Chouhan, Khilan A. Patel, Naman Pushpak, D. Deepesh, Henil Patel, Kishan Kumar Singh, Udhav Mohan, Aaron George.

With strong opponents like Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh in the event, India’s young cricketers will be tested across conditions in Dubai. The tournament will not only highlight their skills but also help selectors identify players ready for the next level.

As Ayush Mhatre steps into his leadership role, the Asia Cup will be a crucial platform for him to guide India and regain his batting confidence. The team’s blend of talent, preparation, and motivation could help India make a strong statement in this year’s championship.