Cricket fans are in for a treat as 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi — one of India’s most promising young talents — has earned his first-ever India A call-up. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the squad for the upcoming Rising Stars Asia Cup 2025, which kicks off on November 14 in Doha.
Leading the team will be Jitesh Sharma, the dynamic wicketkeeper-batter who’s currently part of India’s main squad touring Australia for the T20I series.
India A’s Group & Fixtures
India A has been drawn in Group B, featuring Pakistan A, Oman, and UAE. The team’s campaign begins on November 14 against UAE, followed by a much-anticipated India A vs Pakistan A clash on Sunday, November 16. Their final group-stage match will be against Oman on November 18, while the final is scheduled for November 23.
Group A includes Sri Lanka A, Bangladesh A, Afghanistan A, and Hong Kong — making for a competitive tournament lineup.
IPL Stars & Emerging Talents
Apart from Vaibhav, the squad also features several young guns who have already made a mark in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Priyansh Arya, who had a breakout season with Punjab Kings in IPL 2025, has been rewarded with a spot. Joining him are Nehal Wadhera, Ramandeep Singh, Ashutosh Sharma, and Abhisek Porel, all of whom have impressed in the domestic and franchise circuits.
This balanced mix of IPL-tested players and fresh faces highlights India’s focus on grooming future stars through competitive exposure.
Tournament Drama Expected
The Rising Stars Asia Cup isn’t just about cricketing brilliance — it also promises some drama. Earlier this year, the senior Men’s Asia Cup made headlines when the Indian team allegedly refused handshakes with Pakistan’s players and ACC Chairman Mohsin Naqvi.
With Naqvi still holding the same position, all eyes will be on his behavior and the overall atmosphere during this year’s event.
Afghanistan Aim to Defend Their Title
Afghanistan A enter the 2025 edition as defending champions, having defeated Sri Lanka A in last year’s final. In that tournament, Afghanistan had knocked out the Tilak Varma-led India A in the semi-finals, which also featured notable players like Abhishek Sharma, Rahul Chahar, Prabhsimran Singh, Sai Kishore, and Anshul Kamboj.
India A Squad Overview
India A squad for Rising Stars Asia Cup 2025:
Priyansh Arya, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, 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.
Standby players: Gurnoor Singh Brar, Kumar Kushagra, Tanush Kotian, Sameer Rizvi, and Shaik Rasheed.
With the Rising Stars Asia Cup just around the corner, all attention will be on Vaibhav Suryavanshi — the teenager who’s captured headlines before even stepping onto the field. His inclusion marks not only a personal milestone but also a moment of excitement for Indian cricket fans, as Pakistan prepare to witness the start of what could be a remarkable career.
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