The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has unveiled a formidable India A squad for the upcoming ACC Rising Stars Asia Cup, set to take place in Doha from November 14 to 23. In a significant decision by the senior men’s selection committee chaired by Ajit Agarkar, wicketkeeper-batsman Jitesh Sharma has been appointed captain, with all-rounder Naman Dhir named his vice-captain.
India A squad for Rising Stars Asia Cup T20 tournament:
Priyansh Arya, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Nehal Wadhera, Naman Dhir (vice-capt), Suryansh Shedge, Jitesh Sharma (capt, wk), Ramandeep Singh, Harsh Dubey, Ashutosh Sharma, Yash Thakur, Gurjapneet Singh, Vijay Kumar Vyshak, Yudhvir Singh, Abishek Porel (wk), Suyash Sharma
Stand-by players: Gurnoor Brar, Kumar Kushagra, Tanush Kotian, Sameer Rizvi, Shaik Rasheed
The 15-member squad is packed with standout IPL performers and promising domestic talents, signaling a strong intent to clinch the title in the T20 tournament, previously known as the Emerging Teams Asia Cup. The most headline-grabbing selection is the inclusion of 14-year-old batting sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi, a move that underscores the selectors’ high expectations for the young prodigy. The batting unit is further bolstered by the explosive Priyansh Arya, a star from the Punjab Kings and the Delhi Premier League, alongside consistent performers like Nehal Wadhera and the experienced Abishek Porel, who is currently leading Bengal in the domestic circuit.
The bowling attack presents a mix of raw pace and strategic spin, drawing from the BCCI’s targeted pool of fast bowlers. The pace battery includes the likes of Yash Thakur, Yudhvir Singh, Gurjapneet Singh, and Vyshak Vijaykumar, offering a variety of options for the bowling lineup. The spin department will be handled by the crafty Suyash Sharma and all-rounder Harsh Dubey, who has been a regular in recent India A squads. The team also boasts valuable depth with seam-bowling all-rounders Ramandeep Singh and Suryansh Shedge, providing the captain with flexibility in the shortest format.
