The national selectors have unveiled a dynamic 15-man squad for the upcoming Men's Rising Stars Asia Cup in Qatar. Leading the Indian contingent will be top-order batter Tilak Varma, with Rajat Patidar, who guided Royal Challengers Bengaluru to back-to-back domestic triumphs, serving as his deputy. The selection reflects a clear intent to provide high-stakes tournament experience to the next generation of domestic and franchise performers.
Batting Firepower and Squad Balance
Promising sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi has earned a coveted berth alongside attacking left-hander Abhishek Sharma to bolster the top order. Reliable middle-order finisher Rinku Singh adds depth to the lineup, offering proven match-winning capabilities under pressure. Behind the wickets, wicketkeeping duties will be shared between Prabhsimran Singh and Kumar Kushagra. The bowling attack features pace spearhead Harshit Rana, complemented by versatile all-rounders including Shahbaz Ahmed and Tanush Kotian to handle spin variations on subcontinental-style pitches.
Tournament Format and Group Distribution
The eight-nation continental showpiece is scheduled to take place in Doha from November 19 through November 29, 2026. Participating teams have been split into two distinct pools. India features in Group B alongside traditional rivals Pakistan A, Nepal, and the United Arab Emirates. Meanwhile, Group A comprises Bangladesh A, Sri Lanka A, Afghanistan A, and Hong Kong. Further details regarding the official contingent were shared by the BCCI on social media.
Qualification Pathway and Finals
Following the round-robin group fixtures, the top two sides from each pool will progress directly to the knockout rounds. The semifinals are scheduled across two consecutive evenings on November 26 and November 27. The competition will conclude with the final on November 29, 2026. The management aims to test emerging bench strength while chasing continental silverware with an aggressive tactical brand of cricket.
Complete 15-Member Roster
The final squad comprises Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Prabhsimran Singh, Tilak Varma, Rajat Patidar, Rinku Singh, Kumar Kushagra, Suryansh Shedge, Shahbaz Ahmed, Vipraj Nigam, Harsh Dubey, Tanush Kotian, Harshit Rana, Prince Yadav, and Arshad Khan.
