U-19 World Cup 2026: Five young Indian talents to watch as the next generation gears up for global spotlight.
Starting January 15 in Zimbabwe, the ICC U-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2026 will showcase the brightest prospects in world cricket. Historically, the tournament has served as a launchpad for several future internationals. For India, that list includes Virat Kohli, Shikhar Dhawan, Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal.
From 14-year-old prodigies to returning champions, it’s the first step to show greatness at the world stage. Many of the players in India’s squad have already earned fame and success around the world. But it’s a chance to glorify themselves in an ICC tournament.
India’s squad for U-19 World Cup 2026
Ayush Mhatre (captain), R.S. Ambrish, Kanishk Chouhan, D. Deepesh, Mohamed Enaan, Aaron George, Abhigyan Kundu, Kishan Kumar Singh, Vihaan Malhotra, Udhav Mohan, Henil Patel, Khilan A. Patel, Harvansh Singh, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Vedant Trivedi.
Let’s take a look at the five India young guns to watch out for in the upcoming U-19 World Cup 2026
Vaibhav Suryavanshi
At just 14 years and 278 days old, Vaibhav Suryavanshi has already earned enormous success with his sensational batting performances. In 2025, he became the youngest player in Indian Premier League (IPL) history when Rajasthan Royals (RR) signed him for INR 1.10 crore. Suryavanshi enjoyed a breakthrough season with 252 runs at a staggering strike rate of 206.55, including a 35-ball century against the Gujarat Titans.
The Bihar batter finished the U-19 Asia Cup 2025/26 as India’s second leading run-getter with 261 runs. He notched up those runs at a brutal strike rate of 182.51 with one fifty and one century. Furthermore, Suryavanshi finished as India’s highest run-getter in Youth ODIs for 2025 with 690 runs at a strike rate of 160.09.
With 60 sixes, he also went past Unmukt Chand (38) to record the most for India in Youth ODIs. He will lead the side in the preparatory series in South Africa ahead of the World Cup.
Read More: New year, New promise: Who are the domestic Indian players primed for internationals in 2026?
Ayush Mhatre
Ayush Mhatre enters the ICC U-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2026 with a strong domestic record behind him. In seven List A innings, the 18-year-old has amassed 458 runs at an average of 65.42, including two centuries and a fifty, underlining his pedigree as a top-order batter.
However, his returns in Youth ODIs during 2025 were underwhelming. The opening batter managed just 88 runs in 11 innings at an average of eight and a strike rate of 73.33, with a highest score of 38 and two ducks. His struggles continued in the U-19 Asia Cup 2025/26, where he scored 65 runs across five innings at an average of 13.
With the World Cup approaching, Mhatre will be keen to rediscover his form with the bat while also shouldering the responsibility of leading the India U-19 side.
Read More: Vaibhav Suryavanshi becomes youngest centurion in men’s List A cricket; slams 84-ball 190 for Bihar
Aaron George
Aaron George finished the U-19 Asia Cup 2025/26 as the sixth leading run-getter. Making his U-19 debut in the tournament, George scored 228 runs at an average of 76 and a strike rate of 104.10. India’s number three showed consistency with three successive half-centuries in four innings.
George also has fabulous leadership skills; he guided a bunch of young cricketers to win the Vinoo Mankad Trophy. After that triumph, he featured for the U-19 India-B team, followed by the Asia Cup. George, an ardent fan of former South Africa captain Ab de Villiers, registered a 303-run knock against Bihar in the 2022-23 Vijay Merchant Trophy, mirroring his idol.
Read More: Know Aaron George, India U-19 batter who has impressed in ongoing Youth Asia Cup 2025
Deepesh Devendran
Deepesh Devendran finished 2025 as the second leading wicket-taker in Youth ODIs for India. The right-arm pacer picked up 12 wickets in eight innings at an average of 28.5 and a strike rate of 28.5. Even in the U-19 Asia Cup 2025/26, he finished at the top of the ladder with 14 wickets in five innings at 11.92.
Deepesh will turn 18 during the World Cup. The son of former Tamil Nadu cricketer Vasudevan, he bowls at speeds exceeding 130 kmph and credits Sandeep Warrier for his guidance during his stint with the Vijay Hazare squad.
“I was dropped from the U-19 team last year after a poor performance in the semis. Sandy Anna found out what I was trying and asked me not to slow my run-up or pace. He felt I could play at a higher level if I continued to back my strengths. That gave me a lot of confidence,” the Chennai-born revealed in an interview with Times of India (TOI).
Read More: Top 5 youngsters to watch out for in Ranji Trophy 2025-26
Kishan Kumar Singh (Uttar Pradesh)
Kishan Kumar Singh finished the U-19 Asia Cup 2025/26 with five wickets at an average of 30. As a left-arm pacer, a rarity in Indian cricket, he adds a different dimension to the attack. On the bouncy and fast tracks of Zimbabwe, Kishan may extract movement with the new ball.
As of now, it has been a rollercoaster career for the Uttar Pradesh player. But, he hopes to fulfil his dream of shining in the World Cup after a defeat in the Asia Cup final against Pakistan.
“I always wanted to play for India, and the World Cup is a big opportunity for me to show my calibre to the world. Though we lost to Pakistan in the Asia Cup final, it was a big learning experience for me,” the 19-year-old told Hindustan Times.
India will begin their U-19 World Cup campaign on January 15 against United States of America (USA) at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo. The final will take place on February 6 at the Harare Sports Club.
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