India A squad for Rising Stars Asia Cup: Rajat Patidar gets leadership, Rinku Singh returns

India A squad for Rising Stars Asia Cup: Rajat Patidar gets leadership, Rinku Singh returns

India A Squad for Rising Stars Asia Cup 2026: Tilak Varma to Lead in Doha

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has named a 15-player India A squad for the ACC Men’s Rising Stars Asia Cup 2026, with Tilak Varma appointed captain and Rajat Patidar selected as vice-captain. The tournament will be held in Doha, Qatar, from November 19 to 29, bringing together eight teams of emerging talent from across the region.

The selection blends players with experience in senior and domestic cricket with younger prospects looking to make their mark. Abhishek Sharma and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi are among the headline inclusions, while Rinku Singh’s return adds a proven middle-order finisher to the group. India A will open its Group B campaign against Nepal on November 20, before facing Pakistan A and the United Arab Emirates.

A balanced squad led by Tilak Varma

Tilak Varma’s appointment gives India A a captain with exposure to high-level cricket and a reputation for composure at the crease. He will be tasked with guiding a squad that includes several players with varied experience, from established domestic performers to emerging names still building their profiles.

Patidar’s role as deputy provides another experienced voice in the batting group. His inclusion should help strengthen the middle order, while also giving the team leadership support during a compact tournament schedule. With three group fixtures in five days, clear communication and adaptable tactics could prove just as important as individual form.

At the top of the order, Abhishek Sharma offers an aggressive option capable of putting pressure on opposition bowlers early. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s selection adds youthful promise and another potential opening combination for the team management to consider. How the pair—or other combinations—settle into the conditions in Doha will be an early point of interest for supporters following India A’s campaign.

Rinku Singh returns as wicketkeeping options add flexibility

Rinku Singh is one of the most notable names in the squad. Recognised for his ability to score quickly in the closing stages of an innings, he could be valuable in matches where India need late acceleration. His presence also gives the batting line-up an experienced finisher who can adapt to different match situations.

Prabhsimran Singh and Kumar Kushagra have both been selected as wicketkeepers, giving India A two options behind the stumps. That depth offers flexibility in team selection: the management can choose its preferred specialist keeper while weighing the balance of the batting order, or consider whether either player can contribute in another role.

The wider squad includes Suryansh Shedge, Shahbaz Ahmed, Vipraj Nigam, Harsh Dubey and Tanush Kotian. Their presence gives the side a range of all-round and bowling options, potentially allowing the captain to adjust the combination according to the pitch, opposition and conditions on the day.

India A squad for the Rising Stars Asia Cup 2026

India A squad: Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Prabhsimran Singh (wicketkeeper), Tilak Varma (captain), Rajat Patidar (vice-captain), Rinku Singh, Kumar Kushagra (wicketkeeper), Suryansh Shedge, Shahbaz Ahmed, Vipraj Nigam, Harsh Dubey, Tanush Kotian, Harshit Rana, Prince Yadav and Arshad Khan.

The pace-bowling group features Harshit Rana, Prince Yadav and Arshad Khan. Their ability to take wickets and control scoring could be central to India’s prospects, particularly against teams that build momentum through aggressive batting. The squad’s combination of specialist batters, wicketkeepers, all-round options and fast bowlers gives the selectors several possible team configurations.

Group B challenge: Nepal, Pakistan A and UAE

India A have been drawn in Group B alongside Pakistan A, Nepal and the UAE. Group A features Bangladesh A, Sri Lanka A, Afghanistan A and Hong Kong, China. The format is straightforward but leaves little room for error: the top two teams in each group advance to the semi-finals.

India’s opening match is against Nepal on Friday, November 20, at West End Park International Stadium in Doha. A strong start would help the team build confidence and assess its preferred batting and bowling combinations before the group’s most anticipated fixture.

The second match, against Pakistan A, is scheduled for Sunday, November 22, at the same venue. The contest is likely to draw particular attention from fans, but its importance goes beyond the rivalry: both sides will be seeking points that could shape the race for a semi-final place. India A will then meet the UAE on Tuesday, November 24, at the University of Doha for Science and Technology.

Knockout dates and tournament prediction

The semi-finals are scheduled for November 26 and 27, with the final set for Sunday, November 29. India A’s immediate objective will be to finish in the top two in Group B and secure a place in the knockout rounds. From there, performances under pressure—and the ability to adapt to different opponents—will determine how far the side can go.

Any tournament prediction at this stage comes with uncertainty, as team form, playing conditions and selection decisions can quickly change the picture. India A’s batting depth and mix of experience provide reasons for optimism, while the group-stage clash with Pakistan A could be a significant test. The opening match against Nepal will also matter: a convincing start could give the squad momentum, but the short schedule means every result and net scoring opportunity may count.

For supporters, the Rising Stars Asia Cup offers a chance to track players who could feature more prominently in Indian cricket in the years ahead. The tournament will test not only individual skill but also leadership, squad balance and the ability to deliver across consecutive matches. With Tilak Varma at the helm and a varied group of batters, wicketkeepers and bowlers around him, India A will arrive in Doha aiming to turn promise into a sustained challenge for the title.

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