Vaibhav Suryavanshi to open; RCB ace to follow Mhatre: India strongest XI for U19 World Cup

Suryavanshi and Vihaan Malhotra [Source: @RockstarMK11, @RcbianOfficial/X]

On Saturday, the BCCI selection committee announced India's star-studded squad for the 2026 under-19 World Cup. While Ayush Mhatre was named captain, the presence of Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Vihaan Malhotra, and Aaron George gave the Indian squad a formidable look for the U19 World Cup. 

Ayush Mhatre recently led India to the U19 Asia Cup final, which they convincingly lost to arch-rivals Pakistan. So, the U19 World Cup gives the Indian youngsters a golden opportunity to redeem themselves and secure the coveted title. 

India are placed in group-A and will kickstart their U19 World Cup campaign against the United States in Bulawayo. The Ayush Mhatre-led outfit will lock horns with Bangladesh and New Zealand in their subsequent matches at the same venue. 

As India have revealed their squad for the U19 World Cup, here we analyse to find their most potent playing combination for the showpiece event. 

Vaibhav Suryavanshi to form India's top order with Ayush Mhatre and Aaron George

(Vaibhav Suryavanshi and Aaron George in u19 Asia Cup 2025)

• Vaibhav Suryavanshi has risen to prominence as one of the most destructive batters in youth cricket. The left-handed batter showcased his hard-hitting skills in the U19 Asia Cup and is expected to ensure a flying start for India in the U19 World Cup. Having said that, Suryavanshi must focus on converting his starts into significant scores, something he failed to do consistently in the U19 Asia Cup. 
• Captain Ayush Mhatre will likely open the Indian innings with Suryavanshi in the U19 World Cup. Despite being a promising prospect, Mhatre hasn't had a great time with the bat in recent times. He also underwent a rough patch in the U19 Asia Cup, managing only 65 runs at a modest average of 13. However, considering his potential as an aggressor, we reckon Mhatre will play a key role for India in the World Cup. 
• If one of these two swashbuckling batters departs early, India can rely on Aaron George, their most consistent batter in the U19 Asia Cup. George has a better technique than Mhatre and Suryavanshi and can ensure a steady start for the Men in Blue with his orthodox game in the U19 World Cup. 

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Vihaan Malhotra to spearhead middle order; Vedant and Abhigyan as finishers

Stylish left-handed batter Vihaan Malhotra was one of the most underrated signings in the recently held IPL auction. He secured an IPL deal worth INR 30 lakhs for defending champions, Royal Challengers Bengaluru. 

Vihaan Malhotra was impressive in the U19 Asia Cup, scoring 156 runs at an average of 39 and a strike rate of 109.09. He will be the key to India's middle order success alongside the dependable duo of Vedant Trivedi and keeper-batter Abhigyan Kundu. 

Vedant Trivedi's stoic technique against pace and spin establishes him as a potent middle-order option, while Abhigyan, who smashed 276 runs at a strike rate of 142.27 in the Asia Cup, will be tasked to finish the innings for India U19 in the World Cup. 

Kanishk Chouhan is the frontrunner to play as India's first-choice allrounder, having struck 97 runs and bagged seven wickets in the U19 Asia Cup. 

Henil Patel, Deepesh Devendran to lead India's bowling attack

(Deepesh Devendran's record in u19 Asia Cup 2025)

While Kanishk Chouhan offers India a potent off-spin option, Khilan Patel can wreak havoc in the opposition camp with his left-arm orthodox bowling. The duo forms a formidable spin bowling pair that can rattle India's opponents in the middle overs. 

The in-form Deepesh Devendran, who emerged as the most successful bowler in the U19 Asia Cup with 14 scalps, is expected to lead India's pace attack with Henil Patel and Kishan Kumar Singh. Henil can keep the opponent batters under the pump with nagging accuracy, while Kishan's left-arm angle and ability to move the new ball could trouble the best in business. 

India's strongest playing XI for u19 World Cup

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Ayush Mhatre, Aaron George, Vihaan Malhotra, Vedant Trivedi, Abhigyan Kundu (WK), Kanishk Chouhan, Khilan Patel, Henil Patel, Deepesh Devendran, Kishan Kumar Singh

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