BCCI have announced a 15-member India A squad for the Rising Stars Asia Cup, including several IPL stars.
What is the Rising Stars Asia Cup?
This is the revamped version of the Emerging Nations Asia Cup that has been played since 2013. Six editions have taken place so far, with India U23 winning the first one, Sri Lanka U23 winning the second and third (2017, 208), Pakistan U23 (2019) and Pakistan A (2023) winning the fourth and fifth, and Afghanistan A winning the latest (2024).
India A - led by Tilak Varma - were knocked out of the semi-final in 2024. The 2025 edition will be played at the West End Park International Cricket Stadium in Doha, Qatar, from November 14 to 23.
Jitesh Sharma to lead India A
BCCI have named T20I wicketkeeper Jitesh Sharma as the captain of the India A squad for the Rising Stars Asia Cup. Mumbai Indians and Punjab all-rounder Naman Dhir is set to be his deputy. Young prodigy Vaibhav Suryavanshi has been included as well.
Punjab Kings' breakout star of IPL 2025 - Priyansh Arya - has found a place in the 15-member squad, so has KKR all-rounder Ramandeep Singh, who is the only other player apart from Jitesh who already has an India cap. Delhi Capitals and Bengal player Abhishek Porel is the second wicketkeeper in the squad.
India A squad for Rising Stars Asia Cup
Batters
Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Priyansh Arya, Ashutosh Sharma, Nehal Wadhera
All-rounders
Suryansh Shedge, Naman Dhir (vc), Ramandeep Singh
Wicketkeepers
Jitesh Sharma (c), Abhishek Porel
Bowlers
Harsh Dubey, Vijay Kumar Vyshak, Yudhvir Singh Charak, Gurjapneet Singh, Yash Thakur, Suyash Sharma
Stand-by players
Gurnoor Singh Brar, Kumar Kushagra, Tanush Kotian, Sameer Rizvi, Shaik Rasheed
India A schedule for Rising Stars Asia Cup
The eight teams - divided into two groups of four each - will play every other team in their group once, following which the top two sides will advance for the semi-finals. India A have Oman, UAE, and Pakistan A in their group.
November 14: India Avs UAE
November 16: India A vs Pakistan A
November 18: India A vs Oman
November 21: Semi-final 1
November 21: Semi-final 2
November 23: Final
