India A have selected Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Abhishek Sharma for the 50-over Rising Stars Asia Cup. The tournament offers the explosive T20 batters an opportunity to demonstrate their adaptability in the longer white-ball format.Abhishek Sharma and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi named in India A squad for Rising Stars Asia Cup 2026 (AP Photo) Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Abhishek Sharma will get an opportunity to showcase their credentials in the 50-over format after being named in India's 15-member squad for the ACC Men's Rising Stars Asia Cup, which will be played in the ODI format in Doha, Qatar, from November 19 to 29.The selection of two of India's most explosive T20 batters is an interesting development, particularly with Sooryavanshi having expressed his ambition to represent the country in all three formats.
The teenager had previously spoken about adapting his batting to the demands of ODI cricket, and the Rising Stars Asia Cup will offer him an opportunity to demonstrate that versatility.Tilak Varma will captain the team and is among several T20 regulars named for the 50-over assignment in Doha. Tilak, Sooryavanshi and Abhishek were part of the recently-concluded T20I series in New Zealand.
The selection comes days after former India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh called for the selectors to add Sooryavanshi, Abhishek and Ishan Kishan to the ODI squad. "I would love to see him (Abhishek) in the ODIs, to be honest, and I have said this before that if we are not picking guys like Ishan Kishan, Abhishek and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in 50-over cricket, then somewhere down the line we are not doing justice to their talent," Yuvraj told PTI.Sooryavanshi has already shown considerable promise in List A cricket. In 13 matches, the Bihar batter has scored 564 runs at an average of 43.38.
His standout performance came in the Vijay Hazare Trophy in December 2025, when he smashed 190 off just 84 balls against Arunachal Pradesh in Ranchi. He became the youngest batter to score a List A century and also registered the fastest 150 in the format.
This will be Sooryavanshi's second appearance at the Rising Stars Asia Cup. He was part of India's campaign in the previous edition in November 2025, when the tournament was played in the T20 format.
India A were knocked out in the semi-finals after losing to Bangladesh A in a Super Over following a tied match. Sooryavanshi had scored a brisk 38 off 15 balls in that contest.Abhishek, meanwhile, brings considerable experience in the 50-over format.
The left-handed batter has played 69 List A matches, averaging 33.78, with four centuries to his name.TILAK CAPTAIN, RAJAT HIS DEPUTYTilak has been named captain of the side, with Rajat Patidar appointed his deputy. Prabhsimran Singh and Kumar Kushagra are the two wicketkeeping options in the squad.
The all-rounders include Suryansh Shedge, Shahbaz Ahmed, Vipraj Nigam, Harsh Dubey and Tanush Kotian, while Harshit Rana, Prince Yadav and Arshad Khan complete the bowling options.India A have been placed in Group B alongside Pakistan A, Nepal and the UAE. They will open their campaign against Nepal on November 20, before facing Pakistan A on November 22.
Their final group fixture will be against the UAE on November 24.The top two teams from each group will qualify for the semi-finals, scheduled for November 26 and 27. The final will be played on November 29.
Bangladesh A, Sri Lanka A, Afghanistan A and Hong Kong, China, form Group A.INDIA A SQUAD FOR RISING STARS ASIA CUPAbhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Prabhsimran Singh [WK], Tilak Varma [C], Rajat Patidar [VC], Rinku Singh, Kumar Kushagra [WK], Suryansh Shedge, Shahbaz Ahmed, Vipraj Nigam, Harsh Dubey, Tanush Kotian, Harshit Rana, Prince Yadav, Arshad Khan.- Ends