Young prodigy Vaibhav Suryavanshi has been named the captain of the India U19 team for the upcoming One-Day International (ODI) series against South Africa. The series will take place from January 3 to 7 at Willowmoore Park in Benoni. Suryavanshi steps into the leadership role in the absence of regular captain Ayush Mhatre, with Aaron Charge appointed as his deputy.
The announcement of Suryavanshi’s captaincy comes at the same time when the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) revealed the U19 squads for both the South Africa ODIs and the ICC Men’s Under-19 World Cup. Suryavanshi was rewarded for his remarkable rise, which includes scoring a 35-ball hundred for the Rajasthan Royals in the 2025 Indian Premier League.
Ayush Mhatre and Vihaan Malhotra, both key members of the U19 squad, have sustained wrist injuries and will miss the South Africa tour. They will report to the BCCI Centre of Excellence for further treatment and rehabilitation before rejoining the team for the ICC Men’s Under-19 World Cup.
SURYAVANSHI’S STEEP RISE
Suryavanshi made headlines with a record-breaking performance in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, where he blasted the second-fastest List A century by an Indian. Playing for Bihar against Arunachal Pradesh in Ranchi, he reached 100 runs in just 36 balls—only behind Anmolpreet Singh’s 35-ball century for Punjab in 2024. Suryavanshi’s blistering knock of 190 off 84 balls, including 16 fours and 15 sixes, helped Bihar secure a dominant 397-run win over Arunachal Pradesh.
Suryavanshi was recently appointed as Bihar’s vice-captain for the first two rounds of the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy season, following his impressive performances in junior cricket. This decision comes in light of recent administrative changes within the Bihar Cricket Association. Batter Sakibul Gani will lead the team, with Suryavanshi expected to play a crucial supporting role at the start of the domestic season.
India U19 squad for South Africa
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (C), Aaron George (VC), Vedant Trivedi, Abhigyan Kundu (wk), Harvansh Singh (wk), R.S. Ambrish, Kanishk Chouhan, Khilan A. Patel, Mohamed Enaan, Henil Patel, D. Deepesh, Kishan Kumar Singh, Udhav Mohan, Yuvraj Gohil, Rahul Kumar
– Ends
