India U 19 Cricket Squad for Sri Lanka Tour A New Generation Sets Out to Shine
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially announced the India Under 19 squad for the much anticipated tour of Sri Lanka, set to take place in August 2025. This tour, consisting of five Youth One Day Internationals (YODIs), will be an essential platform for grooming the next batch of future international cricketers. With India’s strong legacy in youth cricket including five ICC U 19 World Cup titles the announcement of the new squad reflects not just a continuation of tradition but a renewed focus on developing well rounded players for the modern game.
The selected squad showcases a dynamic blend of explosive batting, intelligent bowling, and adaptive all rounders. Leading the side is Uday Saharan, an aggressive top order batsman from Rajasthan, who had a standout performance in the recent Vinoo Mankad Trophy. Known for his calm demeanor under pressure and sharp leadership skills, Saharan was the natural choice to captain the side. Alongside him is Sachin Dhas, who will serve as the vice captain. Dhas impressed selectors with his consistency in both regional tournaments and U 19 quadrangular series, and he adds depth to the batting unit.
The batting order is stacked with promising names like Arshin Kulkarni, Musheer Khan, and Adarsh Singh each of whom has made headlines in recent domestic youth competitions. Musheer Khan, notably the younger brother of Sarfaraz Khan, brings with him a pedigree of cricketing intelligence and all round capability. Arshin Kulkarni, an opening batsman with a flair for aggressive stroke play, is expected to set the tone at the top. Adarsh Singh, with his strong off side play and composure during run chases, offers reliability in the middle order. These players symbolize the new age of Indian youth cricket confident, fearless, and ready for international exposure.
On the bowling front, the squad reflects India’s growing emphasis on pace and variation. Raj Limbani, a right arm medium pacer from Gujarat, leads the fast bowling contingent. Known for his ability to swing the ball both ways and deliver yorkers with precision, Limbani has already been likened to a young Bhuvneshwar Kumar. He is ably supported by Naman Tiwari, a left arm seamer who offers a different angle and has a knack for breaking partnerships. The spin department is handled by Murugan Abhishek, a leg spinner with excellent flight and control, and Priyanshu Moliya, a left arm orthodox bowler from Baroda known for his ability to stifle runs in the middle overs. Together, this bowling unit brings variety, experience, and tactical versatility to Sri Lankan pitches that often favor spin and slower deliveries.
A key strength of the selected squad is its depth in all rounders. Players like Musheer Khan, Arshin Kulkarni, and Priyanshu Moliya can contribute significantly with both bat and ball. This provides flexibility in team combinations and ensures that the playing XI can be adapted to various match scenarios and pitch conditions. In modern youth cricket, where adaptability is just as important as skill, this multi dimensional talent is an asset that the coaching staff will surely maximize. The squad also includes K. Gowtham, a hard hitting lower order batsman and off spinner, who has shown maturity beyond his age in multiple high pressure domestic games.
Wicketkeeping duties will be shared between Anuj Rawat and Samarjeet Yadav, both of whom are agile behind the stumps and capable of contributing with the bat. Their inclusion reflects the selectors' preference for well rounded players who can bring added value in the field. Rawat, with his quick reflexes and excellent glovework, is considered one of the most promising young keepers in the system. Yadav, on the other hand, brings a calm head and the ability to bat anywhere in the lineup, giving the management more options.
This tour of Sri Lanka will be a critical test for the squad not just in terms of performance but also resilience. Sri Lankan conditions offer unique challenges slow pitches, humid climate, and vocal home crowds. For many players, this will be their first overseas tour wearing national colors. It provides a golden opportunity to experience the pressures of international cricket in a controlled developmental environment. Moreover, with the next ICC U 19 Cricket World Cup approaching in 2026, strong performances on this tour could fast track several of these players into the final tournament squad. The team will be guided by head coach Hrishikesh Kanitkar, whose experience and calm mentorship style have already earned him praise at junior levels.
India’s U 19 setup continues to be a robust feeder system for the senior national team, with past alumni including Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill, Prithvi Shaw, Rishabh Pant, and Ravindra Jadeja all of whom made their names through impactful U 19 performances. With high expectations and deep talent, the current squad heading to Sri Lanka carries the hopes of continuing this legacy. While results are important, the greater aim of the tour is clear to provide exposure, test skills under pressure, and mold individuals into professionals who could represent India at the highest level in the years to come.
