On Monday, November 2, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the India A squad for the ACC Rising Stars Asia Cup 2026 campaign to be held in Doha, Qatar, from November 19 to 29, 2026.
Tilak Varma has been appointed captain, while Rajat Patidar has been named his deputy. India A have been placed in Group B alongside the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Nepal and Pakistan A. Meanwhile, Group A has Bangladesh A, Sri Lanka A, Afghanistan A and Hong Kong, China.
The top two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals, scheduled for November 26 and 27. The final will take place on Sunday, November 29. The tournament will be played in the 50-over format.
The squad also boasts Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Prabhsimran Singh, Rinku Singh, Suryash Shedge, Harsh Dubey, Tanush Kotian, alongside Harshit Rana and Prince Yadav.
India A were drawn in Group B alongside Pakistan A, Oman and the UAE in the Rising Stars Asia Cup 2025. Led by Jitesh Sharma, they finished second in the group standings after registering two wins in three matches.
India A subsequently faced Bangladesh A in the semi-final, where the contest ended in a tie before Bangladesh A secured victory in the Super Over.
India A squad for the Rising Stars Asia Cup 2026: Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Prabhsimran Singh (WK), Kumar Kushagra (WK), Tilak Varma (C), Rajat Patidar (VC), Rinku Singh, Suryansh Shedge, Shahbaz Ahmed, Vipraj Nigam, Harshit Rana, Harsh Dubey, Tanush Kotian, Prince Yadav and Arshad Khan.
India A fixtures at the Rising Stars Asia Cup 2026
Friday, November 20 – India A vs Nepal, West End Park Int’l Stadium
Sunday, November 22 – India A vs Pakistan A, West End Park Int’l Stadium
Tuesday, November 24 – India A vs UAE, University of Doha for Science & Technology
