The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced a 15-member India A squad for the upcoming ACC Men’s Rising Stars Asia Cup 2026, scheduled to take place in Doha, Qatar, from November 19 to 29. Tilak Varma has been appointed captain, while experienced batter Rajat Patidar will serve as his deputy. The squad features a mix of established performers and promising young talents, with Abhishek Sharma and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi among the biggest names in the selection.
Rinku Singh’s return to the India A setup is another notable inclusion, adding further firepower to the middle order. Wicketkeeping responsibilities will be shared by Prabhsimran Singh and Kumar Kushagra, giving the team two options behind the stumps. The selection committee has also included several all-rounders and specialist bowlers to create a balanced squad for the continental competition.
Tilak Varma will have the responsibility of leading a team that includes several players with senior international and domestic experience. Patidar’s appointment as vice-captain provides additional leadership to the batting group, while Abhishek and Sooryavanshi are expected to offer attacking options at the top of the order.
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Rinku Singh, meanwhile, will strengthen India’s finishing department with his ability to accelerate during the closing stages of an innings. The squad also includes Suryansh Shedge, Shahbaz Ahmed, Vipraj Nigam, Harsh Dubey and Tanush Kotian. India’s pace attack will feature Harshit Rana, Prince Yadav and Arshad Khan. With a combination of batting depth, all-round abilities and specialist bowling options, India A will look to make a strong impression in Doha.
India A have been placed in Group B alongside Pakistan A, Nepal and the United Arab Emirates. Group A consists of Bangladesh A, Sri Lanka A, Afghanistan A and Hong Kong, China. The top two teams from each group will qualify for the semi-finals.
🚨 News 🚨
India A squad for upcoming ACC Rising Stars Asia Cup announced 📝
More details ▶️ https://t.co/JRdPQ31UPA
#RisingStarsAsiaCup https://t.co/4k2vJAE4kh
— BCCI (@BCCI) November 2, 2026
India A will begin their campaign against Nepal on November 20 at the West End Park International Stadium in Doha. They will then face arch-rivals Pakistan A on November 22 at the same venue in what is expected to be one of the most closely followed group-stage encounters.
Their final group-stage match will be against the United Arab Emirates on November 24 at the University of Doha for Science and Technology. The semi-finals of the tournament are scheduled to take place on November 26 and 27, while the final will be played on November 29.
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India A will aim to finish among the top two teams in Group B and secure a place in the knockout stage. With Tilak Varma leading a squad featuring several exciting young players, the tournament will provide an important opportunity for India’s emerging cricketers to showcase their talent on the continental stage.
India A squad: 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.
