Jitesh Sharma To Lead India A In Asia Cup Rising Stars; Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Named In 15-man Squad

New Delhi, November 4: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Tuesday announced the 15-member India A squad for the Rising Stars Asia Cup 2025, to be held in Doha from November 14. The tournament will bring together the most promising young talents from across Asia, offering them a platform to showcase their skills against the continent's best emerging players.

Leading the side will be Jitesh Sharma, the experienced Vidarbha wicketkeeper-batter who has become a familiar name in India's T20 setup. Jitesh, known for his fearless strokeplay and sharp glovework, recently made his comeback to the national squad during the ongoing T20I series against Australia. His appointment as captain underlines the selectors' trust in his leadership experience and composure under pressure.

Joining him as vice-captain is Naman Dhir, the dynamic batting all-rounder from Punjab who impressed with his consistent performances in the domestic T20 circuit. Dhir's ability to anchor innings and provide handy overs makes him one of the most versatile players in the squad.

The selection reflects a fine balance between experience and youthful exuberance, with several players who have already caught the public's eye through standout performances in domestic cricket and the IPL. Among the most talked-about names is Vaibhav Suryavanshi, the 14-year-old batting prodigy who stormed into headlines after smashing a 35-ball century in his debut IPL season for the Rajasthan Royals. His selection marks yet another step in his rapid rise through the cricketing ranks.

Suryavanshi has been in scintillating form at the U19 level as well, having recently scored a century in a youth Test in Australia and a solid 70 in a youth ODI. His inclusion adds a fresh spark to an already vibrant batting lineup featuring Priyansh Arya, Nehal Wadhera, Suryansh Shedge, and Ramandeep Singh - all of whom have shown remarkable form in domestic competitions.

The middle-order will have depth and power with Ashutosh Sharma, known for his aggressive strokeplay, and Harsh Dubey, who adds spin and lower-order stability. The bowling attack looks equally formidable with the pace trio of Yash Thakur, Gurjapneet Singh, and Vijay Kumar Vyshak, complemented by Yudhvir Singh Charak's all-round skills.

Behind the stumps, Abhisek Porel joins skipper Jitesh Sharma as the second wicketkeeping option, while Suyash Sharma, the young mystery spinner who made a mark with Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL, brings variation to the spin department.

To ensure bench strength and cover for injuries, the selectors have also named five stand-by players - Gurnoor Singh Brar, Kumar Kushagra, Tanush Kotian, Sameer Rizvi, and Shaik Rasheed - each capable of stepping in when needed.

The Rising Stars Asia Cup is expected to serve as a testing ground for future senior team prospects. With India's bench strength already being the envy of world cricket, performances in this tournament could open the door for several youngsters to make a mark on the international stage.

The Indian contingent will travel to Doha next week for a short preparatory camp before the tournament opener on November 14.

India A Squad: Priyansh Arya, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Nehal Wadhera, Naman Dhir (VC), Suryansh Shedge, Jitesh Sharma (C/WK), Ramandeep Singh, Harsh Dubey, Ashutosh Sharma, Yash Thakur, Gurjapneet Singh, Vijay Kumar Vyshak, Yudhvir Singh Charak, Abhisek Porel (WK), Suyash Sharma.

Stand-bys: Gurnoor Singh Brar, Kumar Kushagra, Tanush Kotian, Sameer Rizvi, Shaik Rasheed.