The U19 World Cup has long been a platform for future stars in Indian cricket, and the 2026 edition is no different. As India prepares to kick off their campaign against the USA in Bulawayo on January 16th, all eyes are on the young talent aiming to emulate the success of their predecessors. While the tournament doesn't guarantee greatness, it often reveals players equipped for long-term success, with each edition producing stars destined for lasting careers.
This year, Vihaan Malhotra emerges not as a prodigy, but as a batter with considerable long-term, all-format potential. The 19-year-old from Patiala, currently the vice-captain of the Indian U-19 team, looks up to Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill as role models. Gill, who captained India's Test and ODI teams, was the Player of the Series at the U-19 World Cup in 2018.
Malhotra has already experienced a condensed version of the international cricket circuit. Since August 2025, he has been involved in multi-format tours of England and Australia, the 50-over Asia Cup in the UAE, and a 50-over triangular tournament at home. This exposure has provided him with valuable insights into the demands of the game and the areas he needs to improve. "There were so many matches... We got to understand what is happening, what level we are at, and what things we need to improve," Malhotra told Hindustan Times.
The U-19 World Cup holds a special significance, representing the first major goal for many aspiring cricketers. Malhotra recognizes the platform it provides for exposure and understanding what is required to progress further. "Generally most players take this as their first step,” Malhotra said. “For me too, representing the team in the U-19 World Cup was a big platform. You get exposure and understand what you need to do next."
India, the most successful team in the tournament's history with five titles, will be led by Ayush Mhatre in the 2026 U-19 World Cup. India's squad includes 14-year-old batting prodigy Vaibhav Suryavanshi. The team is placed in Group B alongside New Zealand, USA and Bangladesh. Their campaign starts with a match against the USA in Bulawayo, followed by contests against Bangladesh on January 17th and New Zealand on January 24th. The top three teams from each group will advance to the Super Six stage, followed by the semi-finals and the final in Harare.
The 2026 ICC Men's U19 World Cup features 16 teams divided into four groups. The tournament is co-hosted by Zimbabwe and Namibia, with the final scheduled for February 6th. Defending champions Australia will be led by Oliver Peake.
India U19 World Cup 2026 squad: Ayush Mhatre (c), Vihaan Malhotra, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Aaron George, Vedant Trivedi, Abhigyan Kundu, Harvansh Singh, R.S. Ambrish, Kanishk Chouhan, Khilan A. Patel, Mohamed Enaan, Henil Patel, D. Deepesh, Kishan Kumar Singh, Udhav Mohan.
