The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced a change to India’s squad for the upcoming ACC Men’s Rising Stars Asia Cup 2026, with Ayush Badoni replacing Rajat Patidar. The decision was confirmed on Sunday, November 8, after Patidar informed the board that he wanted to manage his existing injury concerns and would not be available for selection in the 50-over format.
The latest update also brings a change to the team’s leadership group, with Rinku Singh appointed as vice-captain. Tilak Varma will continue to captain the 15-member India A squad for the tournament, which will take place in Doha, Qatar, from November 19 to 29.
India A have been placed in Group B alongside Pakistan A, Nepal and the United Arab Emirates. They will begin their campaign against Nepal on November 20, face Pakistan A on November 22 and play the UAE on November 24. The top two teams from each group will qualify for the semi-finals. The final is scheduled for November 29.
Why has Rajat Patidar withdrawn from India A squad?
Patidar was initially named vice-captain of the India A team when the selectors announced the squad on November 2. However, the Madhya Pradesh batter has now withdrawn as he manages his existing injuries.
The BCCI confirmed the development in an official statement.
“Rajat Patidar has communicated to the BCCI that he should not be considered for selection in the 50-over format as he manages his existing injuries.”
The board has not disclosed the exact nature of Patidar’s current injury concerns or provided a recovery timeline. His withdrawal means he will miss an important opportunity to represent India A in the continental competition.
Patidar’s decision comes shortly before the tournament, with the selectors moving quickly to finalise the squad. The batter is also expected to lead Madhya Pradesh in the upcoming Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, India’s domestic T20 competition, which begins on November 14.
Updated India A Squad for Rising Stars Asia Cup 2026
The revised 15-member squad is as follows:
Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Prabhsimran Singh (wicketkeeper), Tilak Varma (captain), Rinku Singh (vice-captain), Kumar Kushagra (wicketkeeper), Suryansh Shedge, Shahbaz Ahmed, Vipraj Nigam, Harsh Dubey, Tanush Kotian, Harshit Rana, Prince Yadav, Arshad Khan, Ayush Badoni.
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