BENONI, South Africa, January 3, 2026 — The India Under-19 cricket team begins a crucial three-match ODI series against South Africa Under-19 today, a final preparatory step ahead of the upcoming U19 World Cup. With regular captain Ayush Mhatre unavailable, Vaibhav Suryavanshi will lead the Indian side at Willowmore Park in Benoni.
When and where is the India U19 vs South Africa U19 1st ODI?
The three-ODI series’ opening game is scheduled on Saturday, January 3, 2026. The match will be held at Willowmore Park in Benoni, South Africa, and is scheduled to start at 1:30 PM Indian Standard Time (IST).
Who is leading the India U19 team?
Regular captain Ayush Mhatre is unavailable for the series. In his absence, Vaibhav Suryavanshi will captain the India Under-19 side. This series serves as vital preparation for both teams ahead of the U19 World Cup scheduled for later this month.
Where can viewers in India watch the live match?
The official telecast partner for the India U19 vs. South Africa U19 first ODI match in India has not yet been revealed, according to the most recent information. In a similar vein, information on the live streaming platform has not yet been made public. Fans are advised to check official cricket board channels for updates.
What is the significance of this series for India U19?
An important part of the U19 World Cup preparation program is this series. With a victory in South Africa, India hopes to gain momentum and get past the disappointment of losing to Pakistan in the U19 Asia Cup 2025 final.
What are the full squads for the match?
The squads selected for the series are:
India U19 Squad: Vaibhav Suryavanshi (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.
South Africa U19 Squad: Muhammad Bulbulia (capt), JJ Basson, Daniel Bosman, Corne Botha, Paul James, Enathi Khitshini Tembalethu, Michael Kruiskamp, Adnaan Lagadien, Bayanda Majola, Armaan Manack, Bandile Mbatha, Lethabo Phahlamohlaka, Jason Rowles, Ntandoyenkosi Soni, Jorich van Schalkwyk.
FAQs:
Q: What time does the IND U19 vs SA U19 match start in South Africa?
A: The game begins at 1:30 PM IST. In South Africa, 10:00 AM SAST would be the equivalent local time.
Q: Why is Ayush Mhatre not playing?
A: Ayush Mhatre, the regular captain of India’s U19 team, is unable to play in the series against South Africa. The details that have been made public do not specify why he is unavailable.
Q: How many matches are in the India U19 vs South Africa U19 series?
A: This is the first match of a three-ODI series between India U19 and South Africa U19.
