The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced India's squad for the upcoming ACC Rising Stars Asia Cup 2026, scheduled to take place in Doha, Qatar. The tournament will provide an important opportunity for young and emerging cricketers to showcase their talent on an international platform.

The selection committee has appointed Tilak Varma as the captain of India A, while experienced batter Rajat Patidar will serve as vice-captain. Several exciting names, including Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Prabhsimran Singh and Rinku Singh, have also found a place in the 15-member squad.

However, one notable omission is Priyansh Arya, who has not been included in the team.

1. Tilak Varma to Captain India's 15-Member Squad

India A will enter the tournament with a balanced squad featuring explosive batters, all-rounders and promising bowling options.

Rajat Patidar has been given the responsibility of vice-captaincy, while Vaibhav Suryavanshi's inclusion is expected to attract considerable attention.

Here is the complete India A squad:

• Abhishek Sharma

• Vaibhav Suryavanshi

• Prabhsimran Singh

• Tilak Varma (Captain)

• Rajat Patidar (Vice-Captain)

• Rinku Singh

• Kumar Kushagra

• Suryansh Shedge

• Shahbaz Ahmed

• Vipraj Nigam

• Harsh Dubey

• Tanush Kotian

• Harshit Rana

• Prince Yadav

• Arshad Khan

2. Vaibhav Suryavanshi and Abhishek Sharma Among the Biggest Attractions

The presence of Vaibhav Suryavanshi and Abhishek Sharma makes India's batting lineup particularly interesting.

Vaibhav Suryavanshi has attracted attention with his aggressive batting and remarkable performances at a young age. The Rising Stars Asia Cup will provide him with another opportunity to demonstrate his abilities against international opposition.

Abhishek Sharma, known for his attacking approach in T20 cricket, will add considerable firepower to the batting department.

Rinku Singh and Prabhsimran Singh will also strengthen the team's batting options, while Tilak Varma and Rajat Patidar bring additional experience to the middle order.

3. When and Where Will the Rising Stars Asia Cup 2026 Be Played?

The ACC Rising Stars Asia Cup 2026 will be organised in Doha, Qatar, from November 19 to November 29.

A total of nine teams will participate in the competition, divided into two groups.

Group A

• Bangladesh A

• Sri Lanka A

• Afghanistan A

• Hong Kong

• China

Group B

• India A

• Pakistan A

• Nepal

• United Arab Emirates (UAE)

The top two teams from each group will qualify for the semi-finals.

The semi-final matches are scheduled for November 26 and 27, while the final will take place on November 29.

4. India's Complete Match Schedule

India A will face three opponents during the group stage. The matches will provide an opportunity for the team to build momentum before the knockout rounds.

The match against Pakistan A is expected to attract particular attention because of the rivalry between the two teams.

5. What Is the Purpose of the Rising Stars Asia Cup?

The tournament was originally introduced in 2013 and was renamed in 2025.

Its primary objective is to provide emerging cricketers with international exposure and help them prepare for higher levels of competition.

It also serves as a bridge between domestic cricket and senior international cricket.

Apart from established cricketing nations, emerging teams such as Nepal, UAE and Hong Kong get an opportunity to compete against stronger sides and gain valuable experience.

6. Which Teams Have Won the Tournament Previously?

Pakistan has been the most successful team in the competition, having won the title three times. India has lifted the trophy once.

Here is the list of previous winners based on the tournament history provided:

Pakistan A will enter the 2026 edition as the defending champion after defeating Bangladesh A in the previous final.

Final Words

India A's squad for the Rising Stars Asia Cup 2026 combines promising young talent with players who have already gained experience at higher levels of cricket.

With Tilak Varma leading the side and players such as Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Suryavanshi and Rinku Singh included, expectations will be high.

The upcoming tournament will be an important opportunity for India's emerging cricketers to prove themselves, particularly with challenging encounters against Pakistan A, Nepal and the UAE awaiting them in the group stage.