Tilak Varma will lead India A at the ACC Men's Rising Stars Asia Cup in Doha later this month, with Rajat Patidar named as his vice-captain. The BCCI announced the 15-member squad for the tournament, which runs from November 19 to 29 in Qatar, and the headline clash is already circled on the calendar: India A against Pakistan A on Sunday, November 22.
The squad blends big-hitting IPL names such as Abhishek Sharma and Rinku Singh with teen sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and a fit-again Harshit Rana, making it one of the more exciting second-string Indian sides in recent years.
India A squad for Rising Stars Asia Cup 2026
Here is the full 15-member squad announced by the BCCI:
- Tilak Varma (captain)
- Rajat Patidar (vice-captain)
- Abhishek Sharma
- Vaibhav Sooryavanshi
- Prabhsimran Singh (wicketkeeper)
- Rinku Singh
- Kumar Kushagra (wicketkeeper)
- Suryansh Shedge
- Shahbaz Ahmed
- Vipraj Nigam
- Harsh Dubey
- Tanush Kotian
- Harshit Rana
- Prince Yadav
- Arshad Khan
Why Tilak Varma got the job
Tilak has been a steady presence around the senior Indian set-up and is part of the BCCI's ODI squad for the fourth and fifth matches against New Zealand. Handing him the captaincy of the A side is a clear sign that selectors see leadership potential in the Hyderabad left-hander. For fans in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, it is a proud moment to see a local player trusted with an Indian team on an international stage.
Rajat Patidar, his deputy, brings experience of leading a franchise in the IPL, which gives the side a calm head in the middle order. Together they will be expected to guide a relatively young group through a short, high-pressure tournament.
Players to watch
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi: The young Bihar opener has been one of the most talked-about batters in Indian cricket. A tournament against Pakistan A and other Asian sides is an ideal stage for him to show he can handle quality bowling.
Abhishek Sharma: An explosive left-handed opener who can take a game away in the first ten overs. Pairing him with Sooryavanshi or Prabhsimran Singh gives India A plenty of firepower at the top.
Harshit Rana: The pacer's selection is significant as he returns after an injury. Strong performances here could put him back in the frame for senior selection.
Rinku Singh: The finisher's role is his speciality, and his experience in tight chases could be crucial in the knockout games.
Groups, format and India A's schedule
The tournament has two groups, with the top two teams from each advancing to the semi-finals on November 26 and 27. The final will be played on Sunday, November 29.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Tournament | ACC Men's Rising Stars Asia Cup 2026 |
| Host city | Doha, Qatar |
| Dates | November 19 to 29, 2026 |
| India A's group | Group B: India A, Pakistan A, UAE, Nepal |
| Group A | Bangladesh A, Sri Lanka A, Afghanistan A, Hong Kong, China |
| India A vs Nepal | Friday, November 20, West End Park International Stadium |
| India A vs Pakistan A | Sunday, November 22, West End Park International Stadium |
| India A vs UAE | Tuesday, November 24, University of Doha for Science & Technology |
| Semi-finals | November 26 and 27 |
| Final | Sunday, November 29 |
What it means for Indian cricket
Tournaments like the Rising Stars Asia Cup are where the next wave of India players get tested outside domestic cricket. The senior team is busy in New Zealand, with an ODI series running until November 15 and a two-match Test series starting on November 19, so this event runs in parallel and gives selectors a second window to watch fringe players.
For viewers, the India A versus Pakistan A game on November 22 will naturally draw the biggest crowds and TV audience. These matches tend to be intense even at the A level, and a strong result there would go a long way toward securing a semi-final spot from Group B.
There is also a selection angle. Several players in this squad, including Kumar Kushagra, who is also in the senior ODI group for the last two games against New Zealand, are on the fringes of the senior team. A good tournament in Doha could fast-track them into India's plans for the home season and beyond.
What happens next
The squad is expected to assemble ahead of the November 19 start, with India A opening their campaign against Nepal on November 20. Any injury replacements will be announced by the BCCI before the team departs. Keep an eye on the playing XI for the Pakistan A clash, as it will show which young openers the team management trusts the most.
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