Indian-origin duo picked for Australia’s U19 squad in high-stakes series against India

Cricket Australia has named two Indian-origin players, Aryan Sharma and Yash Deshmukh, in its men’s Under-19 squad for the upcoming home series against India U19 — a key step in the build-up to the ICC U19 Men’s World Cup in January 2026.

The five-match series, running from September 21 to October 10, will be played in Brisbane and Mackay, featuring three 50-over games and two four-day contests. It forms part of a long-term player development plan designed to give Australia’s brightest young cricketers exposure to both white-ball and red-ball formats at the international level.

Sharma, representing Victoria, and Deshmukh, from New South Wales, will line up under the guidance of Tim Nielsen, the former Australian head coach making his debut at the helm of the U19 side. Cricket Australia hopes his international experience will prove invaluable in shaping the next generation.

The current World Cup cycle has already seen players attend a high-performance camp at the National Cricket Centre in Brisbane, tour India, and take part in a specialised spin and batting training program on the subcontinent. After the series, players will return to their states ahead of the National U19 Championships in December, which will help determine the final squad for the 2026 tournament in Zimbabwe and Namibia.

India U19 vs Australia U19 series schedule

• Sep 21: 1st 50-over match – Ian Healy Oval, Brisbane, 2:30pm AEST (D/N)
• Sep 24: 2nd 50-over match – Ian Healy Oval, Brisbane, 2:30pm AEST (D/N)
• Sep 26: 3rd 50-over match – Ian Healy Oval, Brisbane, 2:30pm AEST (D/N)
• Sep 30–Oct 3: 1st four-day match – Ian Healy Oval, Brisbane, 10am AEST
• Oct 7–10: 2nd four-day match – Great Barrier Reef Arena, Mackay, 11am AEDT