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 the tournament set to run in Doha, Qatar, from November 19 to 29. Tilak Varma will captain the side, while Rajat Patidar has been appointed vice-captain.

The selection brings together established domestic performers, players with senior international experience and emerging talents looking to make their mark. Abhishek Sharma and teenage prospect Vaibhav Sooryavanshi headline the batting group, while the return of Rinku Singh adds a proven finisher to the middle order. India A will begin its campaign against Nepal on November 20, before facing Pakistan A and the United Arab Emirates in Group B.

Balanced squad blends experience with emerging talent

India’s selectors have assembled a squad with options across the batting order, wicketkeeping, all-rounder roles and pace and spin bowling. The combination should give captain Varma and the team management flexibility as they assess conditions in Doha and adjust their playing XI from match to match.

Varma’s appointment places responsibility on a batter who has experience in high-pressure cricket and can anchor or accelerate an innings depending on the situation. Patidar, meanwhile, brings further experience to the leadership group and a strong domestic record. His role as deputy could be particularly valuable in a competition where teams face a short group-stage schedule and have little time to recover from a defeat.

At the top of the order, Abhishek Sharma offers an attacking option, while Sooryavanshi adds an intriguing young presence to the squad. Their inclusion gives India A the potential to put pressure on opposition bowlers early, though the team will also need to balance aggression with the need to build partnerships on unfamiliar pitches.

Rinku Singh’s selection is another significant talking point. Recognised for his ability to finish innings, he could be crucial if India A’s top order loses early wickets or if the side needs a late scoring surge. His presence also strengthens the middle-order options alongside Varma and Patidar.

Wicketkeeping and all-round options

Prabhsimran Singh and Kumar Kushagra have been named as wicketkeeping choices. Having two specialist keepers gives the team flexibility when finalising its XI and provides cover across a tournament that may involve demanding travel and a compact schedule.

The squad also includes Suryansh Shedge, Shahbaz Ahmed, Vipraj Nigam, Harsh Dubey and Tanush Kotian, giving India A several all-round options. These players could help balance the side by contributing in more than one discipline. In limited-overs cricket, that depth can be important: an extra bowling option may ease the workload on the frontline attack, while a capable lower order can add valuable runs in the closing overs.

The pace group features Harshit Rana, Prince Yadav and Arshad Khan. Their ability to take wickets and contain scoring will be central to India A’s plans, particularly against opponents with aggressive top orders. The squad’s variety across departments should allow the team to consider different combinations based on match conditions and opposition strengths.

India A’s group and tournament format

India A have been drawn in Group B alongside Pakistan A, Nepal and the United Arab Emirates. Group A features Bangladesh A, Sri Lanka A, Afghanistan A and Hong Kong, China. The top two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals.

That format makes every group fixture important. A strong start could put India A in a favourable position, while a close contest or unexpected result may make net run rate and the final group match decisive. The tournament also offers a useful opportunity for emerging players to test themselves against opposition from across the region, with knockout qualification providing an added competitive edge.

India A fixtures at the Rising Stars Asia Cup 2026

India A open their Group B campaign against Nepal on Friday, November 20, at West End Park International Stadium in Doha. The opening match will give the team its first chance to assess the playing surface and settle on its preferred batting and bowling combinations.

The second fixture is against Pakistan A on Sunday, November 22, at the same venue. With both sides expected to target a place in the knockout rounds, the match could prove pivotal to the group standings. India A will then face the UAE on Tuesday, November 24, at the University of Doha for Science and Technology.

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, but the squad’s broader opportunity is to build experience in a high-quality regional competition.

India A squad for the Rising Stars Asia Cup 2026

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.

Early prediction: what could shape India A’s campaign?

Any prediction about the tournament will depend on form, conditions and the final team combinations, but India A appear to have a squad capable of competing for a semi-final place. Their batting depth and range of all-round options could be major strengths, while the performances of the pace attack may determine how effectively the side controls matches in Doha.

The opening game against Nepal will be an important test of preparation, while the Pakistan A fixture could provide the clearest measure of India’s progress. If the top order lays a solid platform and the middle order converts starts into substantial totals, India A will have a strong foundation. Consistent bowling and sharp fielding will be just as important in a format where a single result can alter the group picture.

For supporters, the tournament offers a chance to follow both familiar names and rising prospects in a competitive setting. With Varma leading a varied squad and a place in the knockout rounds at stake, India A’s campaign in Doha promises several storylines to watch.