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India Under-19 Tour of South Africa 2026

05 Jan, 2026 07:02 PM IST 4 min read

India’s Under-19 cricket team is gearing up for a three-match Youth ODI series in South Africa this January 2026, serving as an important preparation before the ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup. 

India Under-19 Tour of South Africa 2026

All matches will be played at Willowmoore Park, Benoni, a venue known for lively pitches that challenge both batters and fast bowlers. The series promises exciting cricket as India U19 faces South Africa U19 in a high-intensity contest. 

With the likes of Vaibhav Suryavanshi leading the side, fans can expect emerging stars to showcase their talent. Stay tuned for full squads, schedule, live streaming, and live score updates of this thrilling India U19 tour.

India U19 vs South Africa U19 2026: Schedule & Fixtures

The India U19 team will play three Youth ODIs in South Africa in January 2026. All matches will take place at Willowmoore Park, Benoni. The schedule is short and tight, which gives players a taste of World Cup-like conditions.

 This helps the teams test their skills, fitness, and teamwork before the big tournament.

DateMatchTime (IST)Time (Local)Venue
Saturday, January 31st Youth ODI: South Africa U19 vs India U191:30 PM10:00 AMWillowmoore Park, Benoni
Monday, January 52nd Youth ODI: South Africa U19 vs India U191:30 PM10:00 AMWillowmoore Park, Benoni
Wednesday, January 73rd Youth ODI: South Africa U19 vs India U191:30 PM10:00 AMWillowmoore Park, Benoni

India Under-19 Squad for South Africa Tour

India has announced a strong squad for the India U19 tour of South Africa 2026. In the India U19 captain list, regular captain Ayush Mhatre and vice-captain Vihaan Malhotra are unavailable due to wrist injuries. 

In their absence, Vaibhav Suryavanshi will lead the team, supported by vice-captain Aaron George. The squad includes a mix of talented batters and bowlers ready to take on South Africa U19.

India U19 Squad:

Vaibhav Suryavanshi (c), Aaron George (vc), Vedant Trivedi, Abhigyan Kundu (wk), Harvansh Singh (wk), R.S. Ambrish, Kanishk Chouhan, Khilan Patel, Mohamed Enaan, Henil Patel, Deepesh Devendran, Kishan Kumar Singh, Udhav Mohan, Yuvraj Gohil, Rahul Kumar

South Africa Under-19 Squad:

Muhammad Bulbulia (c), Adnaan Lagadien, Armaan Manack, Bandile Mbatha, Daniel Bosman, Jorich van Schalkwyk, JJ Basson, Corne Botha, Paul James, Enathi Khitshini Tembalethu, Michael Kruiskamp, Bayanda Majola, Lethabo Phahlamohlaka, Jason Rowles, and Ntandoyenkosi Soni

India U19 vs South Africa U19: Head-to-Head Record

India U19 has dominated the head-to-head record against South Africa U19 in Youth ODIs in recent years. Out of 26 matches, India U19 has won 20, while South Africa U19 has won 6.

Last 5 Matches:

  • India U19 beat South Africa U19 by 2 wickets – Feb 06, 2024
  • India U19 beat South Africa U19 by 6 wickets – Jan 06, 2024
  • India U19 beat South Africa U19 by 7 wickets – Jan 02, 2024
  • India U19 beat South Africa U19 by 45 runs – Jan 15, 2022
  • India U19 beat South Africa U19 by 69 runs – Jan 09, 2020

Key Players & Leadership

The India U19 team will be led by Vaibhav Suryavanshi as captain, with Aaron George serving as vice-captain. Regular captain Ayush Mhatre and vice-captain Vihaan Malhotra will miss the tour due to injuries, but the team still has a balanced lineup of talented batters and bowlers ready for the challenge. 

On the other hand, South Africa U19 is expected to be captained by Muhammad Bulbulia, with promising young talent like Jorich van Schalkwyk in their ranks. The South African side boasts a strong fast-bowling attack and a deep batting lineup, making them a formidable opponent on home soil.

Conclusion

The South Africa vs India Under-19 Series in 2026 promises to be an exciting and action-packed tour for cricket fans. With three Youth ODIs scheduled at Willowmoore Park, Benoni, this series gives young players a chance to experience near-World Cup conditions and showcase their talent on an international stage. 

Both India U19 and South Africa U19 will use this series to fine-tune their squads, test strategies, and build confidence ahead of the ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2026. 

Fans can expect thrilling matches, emerging stars, and competitive cricket, making this series a key event in the U19 cricket calendar and a glimpse of the sport’s future.

Cricbex

Cricbex

Cricbex Editorial Team

The Cricbex editorial team specializes in live cricket scores, match analysis, player statistics, rankings, and breaking cricket news. Our goal is to provide accurate, real-time updates and easy-to-understand insights for cricket fans worldwide, covering international matches, leagues, and tournaments.

Frequently Asked Questions

The India U19 team will tour South Africa in January 2026 for a three-match Youth ODI series at Willowmoore Park, Benoni.

All matches will take place at Willowmoore Park, Benoni, which is known for lively pitches and near-World Cup conditions.

Vaibhav Suryavanshi will captain the Indian side, with Aaron George as vice-captain. Regular captain Ayush Mhatre and vice-captain Vihaan Malhotra will miss the tour due to injuries.

Yes, India U19 has dominated in Youth ODIs against South Africa, winning 20 out of 26 matches in recent years.

The series provides both teams a chance to fine-tune squads, test strategies, and adapt to international conditions ahead of the U19 World Cup 2026, helping young players gain experience under competitive pressure.