India have named their 15-man squad for the ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup 2026, and the BCCI made the announcement on October 30. Uttarakhand’s Lakshya Raichandani will captain the side, with Yashbardhan Singh Chauhan named vice-captain.

The squad carries a storyline that has fans leaning forward. Aaryavir Sehwag, son of former India opener Virender Sehwag, and Anvay Dravid, son of former India great Rahul Dravid, both made the cut. Both had already been selected for the earlier series against Australia U19, and both have now held their places for the continental tournament.

Sehwag and Dravid’s successors being in the same Asia Cup squad has further increased fan interest in India’s U19 team.

Captaincy earned on the field. Raichandani led India in an unofficial three-match one-day series against Australia U19, and India won the series 3-0 to complete a clean sweep. In the third match at Rajkot, he struck an unbeaten 110 and played a key role in the win. That innings makes a strong case for the captaincy, and it is hard to read the selection as a gamble.

Who stayed and who went. Thirteen of the 15 players who featured in the Australia series have kept their spots for the Asia Cup. The two who missed out are Chigurupati Venkata and Rohit Yadav. In their place, Aryan Savsani and Ishan Sood come into the squad. Both were absent from the Australia series, so their inclusion is the clearest sign of fresh thinking in the selection.

The full 15. The squad is Lakshya Raichandani (captain), Aaryavir Sehwag, V.K. Vineet, Yashbardhan Singh Chauhan (vice-captain), Kushagra Ojha, Arjun Rajput, Manal Chauhan, Anvay Dravid (wicketkeeper), Rajat Baghel (wicketkeeper), V. Yashvir, Aryan Savsani, Mohit Ulva, Kavya Patel, Shavin Vinod and Ishan Sood. Two specialist wicketkeepers are included, and Dravid’s son is one of them, which keeps him in the frame for a role that demands both glovework and game sense.

The schedule is tough from the start. India are in Group A alongside Pakistan U19, UAE U19 and Nepal U19. The campaign opens against Nepal on November 6. Then comes the match that will draw the most eyes, against defending champions Pakistan on November 8. India close their league stage against UAE on November 10. Semifinals and the final follow after the group matches.

Why the Pakistan match matters. The fixture against the defending champions lands early enough to shape India’s tournament. A poor start against Pakistan would put pressure on the group, while a strong result would set the tone for the knockouts. Every game in the group will be watched closely, but this one carries the most weight.

The legacy question. Cricket fans love a dynasty story, and this squad gives them one. Sehwag and Dravid were both among the most admired players of their generation, and their sons now stand at the start of their own journeys. Making the squad is the first step. Holding a place through a major tournament is a different test, and the next few weeks will show whether Aaryavir Sehwag and Anvay Dravid can justify their selection on the biggest stage at this level.

What selectors have signalled. Retaining 13 of the 15 players from the Australia series points to continuity. The selectors have trusted the group that won 3-0 and handed Raichandani a squad that already knows his leadership. The inclusion of Savsani and Ishan Sood adds fresh options without disrupting the core. For a team heading into a tournament with Pakistan waiting, that balance of familiarity and new faces is the story to watch.