India A Squad for Rising Stars Asia Cup 2026: Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Abhishek Sharma Included; India vs Pakistan A Match on 22 November
India A Squad for Rising Stars Asia Cup 2026
The BCCI has named a 15-member India A squad for the ACC Men’s Rising Stars Asia Cup in Doha, from 19 to 29 November. Tilak Varma is captain and Rajat Patidar vice-captain, with Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Rinku Singh and Harshit Rana included.
By CricketGatha · Published 3 November 2026 · 6 min read
- Squad announced: 2 November 2026, by the BCCI Men’s Selection Committee.
- Captain and vice-captain: Tilak Varma and Rajat Patidar.
- India A group: Group B, with Pakistan A, Nepal and the UAE.
- Fixtures: Nepal on 20 November, Pakistan A on 22 November, UAE on 24 November.
- Venue: West End Park International Cricket Stadium, Doha.
The spotlight is on the next generation of Asian cricketers, and on a possible India vs Pakistan A contest. The pairing of aggressive left-handers Abhishek Sharma and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is the headline of the squad, and fans will be watching to see if they open together.
Rising Stars Asia Cup 2026: Tournament Details
| Tournament | ACC Men’s Rising Stars Asia Cup 2026 |
| Organiser | Asian Cricket Council |
| Dates | 19 to 29 November 2026 |
| Host | Doha, Qatar |
| Format | 50 overs, 8 teams |
| India A captain | Tilak Varma |
| India A vice-captain | Rajat Patidar |
| Semi-finals | 26 and 27 November |
| Final | 29 November |
Unlike the first edition in 2025, which was played as a T20 tournament, this year’s competition is a 50-over event.
India A Squad: All 15 Players
| No. | Player | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Abhishek Sharma | Opening batter |
| 2 | Vaibhav Sooryavanshi | Opening batter |
| 3 | Prabhsimran Singh | Wicketkeeper-batter |
| 4 | Tilak Varma (C) | Batter, captain |
| 5 | Rajat Patidar (VC) | Batter, vice-captain |
| 6 | Rinku Singh | Batter |
| 7 | Kumar Kushagra | Wicketkeeper-batter |
| 8 | Suryansh Shedge | All-rounder |
| 9 | Shahbaz Ahmed | Spin-bowling all-rounder |
| 10 | Vipraj Nigam | Spin-bowling all-rounder |
| 11 | Harsh Dubey | Spin-bowling all-rounder |
| 12 | Tanush Kotian | Spin-bowling all-rounder |
| 13 | Harshit Rana | Fast bowler |
| 14 | Prince Yadav | Fast bowler |
| 15 | Arshad Khan | Left-arm pace-bowling all-rounder |
The squad mixes players with senior international experience and promising domestic performers. Only Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Suryansh Shedge and Harsh Dubey were retained from India’s 2025 squad.
India A vs Pakistan A: 22 November 2026
| Match | India A vs Pakistan A, Group B |
| Date | Sunday, 22 November 2026 |
| Venue | West End Park International Cricket Stadium, Doha |
| Format | 50 overs |
| India A captain | Tilak Varma |
| Pakistan A captain | Abdul Samad |
| Start time | Check the final confirmed schedule |
India and Pakistan matches draw attention at any level, and this one features young players hoping to push their claims for senior teams. India A has a powerful batting line-up of Abhishek, Vaibhav, Tilak and Rinku, while Pakistan A are led by Abdul Samad. The result could be important for Group B and semi-final qualification.
Players to Watch
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi
The 15-year-old has played only 13 List A games but already has a highest score of 190. His attacking approach could give India A a fast start. Read his profile.
Abhishek Sharma
The world’s top-ranked T20I batter brings power-hitting and senior experience, with 69 List A matches behind him. Read his profile.
Tilak Varma
The India A captain has to lead and bat in the middle order. Read his profile.
Rinku Singh
His ability to finish under pressure could be vital in the last overs of a 50-over game.
Harshit Rana
He adds pace and wicket-taking ability for both the new ball and the death overs.
Mohammad Hasnain (Pakistan A)
The Pakistan A fast bowler could test India’s top order with his pace.
Could Abhishek and Vaibhav open together?
Both are aggressive left-handers, and both like to score early. Abhishek attacks pace and spin in the powerplay, and Vaibhav adds youthful energy. But India A also has Prabhsimran Singh as an opening and wicketkeeping option, so the combination will depend on selection and conditions. Neither player is in the running for India’s ODI team at the moment, which makes this tournament an important showcase.
Tilak Varma and Rajat Patidar
Tilak will handle team selection discussions, bowling changes and field settings, as well as batting in the middle order. Patidar, the IPL-winning captain of Royal Challengers Bengaluru, is the vice-captain and a reliable middle-order option who plays spin well.
Pakistan A Squad
Pakistan’s squad is led by Abdul Samad.
Previous Meeting: The 2023 Final
India A and Pakistan A last met in a 50-over final at the 2023 ACC Emerging Teams Asia Cup, where Pakistan A won by 128 runs in Colombo.
| Team | Score |
|---|---|
| Pakistan A | 352/8 (50 overs) |
| India A | 224 all out |
| Result | Pakistan A won by 128 runs |
Tayyab Tahir scored 108 for Pakistan A. The 2026 group match is a new tournament with different squads, so it should not be called a revenge match.
Groups and India A’s Schedule
Group A
Bangladesh A, Sri Lanka A, Afghanistan A, Hong Kong
Group B
India A, Pakistan A, Nepal, UAE
Each team plays three group matches, and the top two from each group reach the semi-finals.
| Date | Match | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| Fri, 20 Nov | India A vs Nepal | West End Park, Doha |
| Sun, 22 Nov | India A vs Pakistan A | West End Park, Doha |
| Tue, 24 Nov | India A vs UAE | University of Doha for Science and Technology |
| 26 and 27 Nov | Semi-finals | To be confirmed |
| 29 Nov | Final | To be confirmed |
India A Probable Playing XI
The official XI has not been announced. This is an illustrative combination, not a confirmed line-up.
Kumar Kushagra, Harsh Dubey, Vipraj Nigam and Suryansh Shedge are also available for selection.
Can India A Win the Tournament?
India A has aggressive openers, a strong middle order, several spin-bowling all-rounders and pace depth. Pakistan A, Bangladesh A, Sri Lanka A and Afghanistan A will all be competitive, so India’s success will depend on partnerships, bowling discipline and handling pressure in the knockouts. The 22 November match is one of the biggest early tests.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was the India A squad announced?
On 2 November 2026 by the BCCI.
Who is the India A captain and vice-captain?
Tilak Varma is captain and Rajat Patidar is vice-captain.
Are Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Abhishek Sharma in the squad?
Yes, both are included.
When is India A vs Pakistan A?
Sunday, 22 November 2026, at West End Park International Cricket Stadium in Doha.
What time does India A vs Pakistan A start?
Please check the official schedule, because published start times currently differ.
Who captains Pakistan A?
Abdul Samad.
What is the format of the tournament?
50 overs, with eight teams. The previous edition in 2025 was a T20 tournament.
Which group is India A in?
Group B, with Pakistan A, Nepal and the UAE.
When does India A play Nepal and the UAE?
Nepal on 20 November and the UAE on 24 November.
When are the semi-finals and the final?
Semi-finals on 26 and 27 November, and the final on 29 November.
Are Rinku Singh and Harshit Rana in the squad?
Yes, both are included.
Who won the 2023 India A vs Pakistan A final?
Pakistan A, by 128 runs in Colombo.
Will Abhishek and Vaibhav open together?
They are possible openers, but the combination has not been confirmed.
Conclusion
With Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Rajat Patidar, Rinku Singh and Harshit Rana, India A has an impressive mix of talent and experience for the Rising Stars Asia Cup. The big match is India A vs Pakistan A on 22 November in Doha, after a first game against Nepal on 20 November. Stay with CricketGatha for confirmed playing XIs, scorecards and results.
CricketGatha, Cricket Ki Har Kahani.
