India U19 vs Nepal U19, ACC U19 Asia Cup 2026: Date, Time, Venue, Squads & Where to Watch

India Under-19s begin their ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup 2026 campaign against Nepal Under-19s at the Al Amerat Cricket Ground in Oman on Friday, 6 November 2026. It is the opening game of the tournament for both sides, and for India it is the first step in a group that also contains Pakistan and the UAE. With the toss already done and play underway, here is everything you need to know about the fixture — date, time, venue, confirmed playing XIs, squads, head-to-head record, pitch and weather, and where to watch it live.

Match Overview

India arrive in Oman as one of the favourites for the title. They clinched the ICC U19 World Cup earlier in 2026, although the squad that has assembled for this Asia Cup is a largely new group, led by captain Lakshya Rajesh Raichandani. The batting line-up carries two famous surnames — Aaryavir Sehwag, son of Virender Sehwag, and Anvay Dravid, son of Rahul Dravid — and both youngsters will be under the spotlight from the very first ball.

Nepal, captained by Bipin Sharma, are no pushovers at this level. They have reached the semi-finals of a previous U19 Asia Cup, and they famously beat India in this tournament back in 2017. A strong start against the tournament favourites would put them right in the race for a semi-final place from Group A.

India won the toss and chose to bowl first, backing their new-ball attack to make early inroads on a fresh Al Amerat surface. Nepal’s openers therefore have the first job of the day: see off the new ball, build a platform, and give their bowlers something to defend in the second innings.

India’s senior team are also in winning form at the moment — they beat New Zealand by five wickets in the first ODI at Eden Park on 4 November, as covered in our New Zealand vs India, 1st ODI recap — and the U19 side will want to match that winning start.

Squads and Confirmed Playing XIs

Both playing XIs are confirmed, with the toss done and the match underway.

India U19 (Playing XI): Aaryavir Sehwag, Anvay Dravid (w), Arjun Rajput, Ishan Sood, Kavya Patel, Lakshya Rajesh Raichandani (c), Manal Chauhan, Mohit Ulva, Yashveer Goud, VK Vineeth, Yashbardhan Chauhan

India U19 (Full squad): Lakshya Rajesh Raichandani (c), Anvay Dravid, Rajat Baghel (w), Aaryavir Sehwag, VK Vineeth, Yashveer Goud, Arjun Rajput, Ishan Sood, Yashbardhan Chauhan, Kushagra Ojha, Shavin Vinodh, Kavya Patel, Mohit Ulva, Manal Chauhan, Aryan Savsani

Nepal U19 (Playing XI): Aashish Luhar (w), Abhay Yadav, Bipin Sharma (c), Darsh Sonar, Niraj Kumar Yadav, Nischal Chhetri, Nitesh Patel, Prashiddha Jaishi, Sachin Bhatt, Sushil Rawal, Suryanshu Koirala

Nepal U19 (Full squad): Bipin Sharma (c), Aashish Luhar (w), Niraj Kumar Yadav, Rohit Chand, Prashiddha Jaishi, Sohail Kunwar, Darsh Sonar, Nischal Chhetri, Sachin Bhatt, Roshan Shahi, Suryanshu Koirala, Abhay Yadav, Sushil Rawal, Subham Khanal, Nitesh Patel

India have gone with Anvay Dravid behind the stumps, with Rajat Baghel, the other wicketkeeper in the squad, left out of the XI. Ishan Sood took the new ball for India, with Nepal openers Niraj Kumar Yadav and captain Bipin Sharma at the crease. For Nepal, the batting will revolve around Niraj Kumar Yadav and Prashiddha Jaishi at the top, with the middle order needing to build on whatever platform the openers provide.

Key Players to Watch

• Lakshya Rajesh Raichandani (India, captain): Leads a new-look India U19 side into the tournament. His captaincy and top-order batting will set the tone for India’s campaign.
• Aaryavir Sehwag (India): The most talked-about name in the squad. Opening the batting for India, a good start from him would settle the whole team.
• Anvay Dravid (India, wicketkeeper): Keeps wicket and bats in the top order. Like Sehwag, he carries a famous surname — and the composure that comes with it will be tested in a tournament opener.
• Ishan Sood (India): Entrusted with the new ball after India won the toss and chose to bowl. Early wickets are his job.
• Bipin Sharma (Nepal, captain): Leads from the front as opener and captain. Nepal’s hopes rest heavily on his start with the bat.
• Niraj Kumar Yadav (Nepal): Opens the batting alongside his captain and is one of Nepal’s most important batters in this tournament.

Head-to-Head

India dominate the youth head-to-head record against Nepal, but the one Nepal win in this fixture is one of the most famous upsets in age-group cricket.

As of September 2018, the two sides had met seven times at U19 level, with India winning six of those games. Nepal’s only victory came on 12 November 2017 at the Bayuemas Oval in Kuala Lumpur, in the ACC U19 Asia Cup. Put in to bat, Nepal posted 185 for 8, built on captain Dipendra Singh Airee’s 88, and then bowled India out for 166 to win by 19 runs — Airee taking 4 for 39. It was the first time Nepal had beaten India at any level of cricket.

India hit back in the next Asia Cup meeting in September 2018, thrashing Nepal by 171 runs after posting 304. The most recent meeting between the sides came at the ICC U19 World Cup on 2 February 2024 in Bloemfontein, where India posted 297 for 5 and bowled Nepal out for 165 to win by 132 runs in the Super Six stage.

That history makes India clear favourites on paper, but Nepal have shown before that they can beat this opposition on their day — and in a tournament opener, an early upset would shake up Group A completely.

Pitch and Weather Report

The match is being played at the Al Amerat Cricket Ground (Ministry Turf 1) in Al Amerat, Oman — a venue Nepal’s senior team know well from recent ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 matches, including their 10-run thriller win over Oman at this very ground.

The pitch at Ministry Turf 1 is generally a balanced surface for batters and bowlers, with the average first-innings score in the last 20 matches at the venue standing at 187 runs. Early on there is usually something in it for the new-ball bowlers, which helps explain India’s decision to bowl first after winning the toss. Once batters get set, runs are available, and spinners tend to come into the game in the middle overs as the surface slows down. A first-innings total in the region of 220–240 would be competitive in a youth ODI here.

The weather in Al Amerat on Friday is clear and sunny, with temperatures around 28–32°C and no rain expected, so the match should run without interruption. Humidity is high, which will test the players’ fitness across 100 overs, but the forecast is good news for both teams and for fans.

Where to Watch and Live Streaming

In India, the match is telecast live on the Sony Sports Network, with live streaming available on the SonyLIV app and website (subscription required). In Nepal, the match is also available on the Sony Sports Network and SonyLIV.

Elsewhere, the tournament is carried by PTV Sports and Geo Super in Pakistan (streaming on Myco, Tamasha, ARY Zapp and Tapmad), Sky Sports in the UK, Willow TV in the USA and Canada, Amazon Prime Video in Australia, Sky Sport Now in New Zealand, and ICC.tv for the rest of the world.

Fans can also follow live scores and ball-by-ball commentary online. Our Canada vs Nepal League 2 preview shows how competitive Nepal can be in Oman conditions — and the same venue knowledge could matter here too.

FAQs

When does India U19 vs Nepal U19 start?

The match starts at 10:30 AM IST on Friday, 6 November 2026, at the Al Amerat Cricket Ground (Ministry Turf 1) in Al Amerat, Oman. The toss took place at 10:00 AM IST.

Who won the toss in India U19 vs Nepal U19?

India U19 won the toss and opted to bowl first against Nepal U19.

What are the confirmed playing XIs?

India U19: Aaryavir Sehwag, Anvay Dravid (w), Arjun Rajput, Ishan Sood, Kavya Patel, Lakshya Rajesh Raichandani (c), Manal Chauhan, Mohit Ulva, Yashveer Goud, VK Vineeth, Yashbardhan Chauhan. Nepal U19: Aashish Luhar (w), Abhay Yadav, Bipin Sharma (c), Darsh Sonar, Niraj Kumar Yadav, Nischal Chhetri, Nitesh Patel, Prashiddha Jaishi, Sachin Bhatt, Sushil Rawal, Suryanshu Koirala.

Where can I watch India U19 vs Nepal U19 live in India?

Live telecast on the Sony Sports Network and live streaming on the SonyLIV app and website.

What is the head-to-head record between India U19 and Nepal U19?

India lead the rivalry comfortably — six wins from seven meetings up to September 2018, plus a 132-run win in the most recent meeting at the 2024 U19 World Cup. Nepal’s only win was the famous 19-run upset at the 2017 U19 Asia Cup in Kuala Lumpur.

Who are the key players to watch?

For India: captain Lakshya Rajesh Raichandani, Aaryavir Sehwag, Anvay Dravid and new-ball bowler Ishan Sood. For Nepal: captain and opener Bipin Sharma and fellow opener Niraj Kumar Yadav.

Conclusion

India U19 start as clear favourites against Nepal U19 in their ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup 2026 opener, and winning the toss and bowling first has given them the ideal start. But tournament openers have a habit of producing surprises, and Nepal have beaten India before in this very competition. If Bipin Sharma’s side can bat through the first 15 overs without losing wickets, the pressure will shift quickly onto India’s young attack. For India, a convincing win would set up Sunday’s blockbuster against Pakistan on 8 November perfectly. Either way, this is a strong opening fixture for Group A — and the first real test of India’s new generation.

Full live scorecard and ball-by-ball commentary: https://www.cricbuzz.com/live-cricket-scores/175620/indu19-vs-nepu19-4th-match-group-a-acc-mens-u19-asia-cup-2026

Green Benn

Green Benn is a dedicated sports writer specializing in cricket, including IPL and international formats. Known for clear, engaging, and informative content, Green simplifies complex match analysis and player statistics for all readers. Passionate about sports storytelling, Green delivers reliable, SEO-friendly articles that keep fans updated and informed