The ICC Men’s Under-19 World Cup 2026 is all set to begin in a few days’ time. The marquee tournament will be played from January 15 in Zimbabwe and Namibia. Just weeks prior to the tournament, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the Indian Under-19 squad, who have been placed in Group B, alongside New Zealand, USA and Bangladesh.
This time, young Ayush Mhatre will be leading the side with Vihaan Malhotra serving as his deputy. The side also includes Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who has been the most-talked player since his IPL heroics in the 2025 edition. However, the Men in Blue will aim to end their trophy drought. So far five Indian captains have lifted the title with Mohammad Kaif being the first one. After Kaif in 2000, Virat Kohli-led Indian side claimed the title in 2008.
While India has been the most successful team in the Under-19 CWC, let’s take a look at the players who have captained India in the ICC Men’s U-19 Cricket World Cup thus far.
India captains at ICC U-19 Cricket World Cup so far
| U-19 CWC Edition | India Captain |
| 1988 | Myluahanan Senthilnathan |
| 1998 | Amit Pagnis |
| 2000 | Mohammad Kaif |
| 2002 | Parthiv Patel |
| 2004 | Ambati Rayudu |
| 2006 | Ravikant Shukla |
| 2008 | Virat Kohli |
| 2010 | Ashok Menaria |
| 2012 | Unmukt Chand |
| 2014 | Vijay Zol |
| 2016 | Ishan Kishan |
| 2018 | Prithvi Shaw |
| 2020 | Priyam Garg |
| 2022 | Yash Dhull |
| 2024 | Uday Saharan |
| 2026 | Ayush Mhatre |
FAQs
1. Who captained India to their first U-19 Cricket World Cup victory?
Answer: The Indian team claimed their maiden Under-19 CWC title in 2000 under Mohammad Kaif’s captaincy.
2. How many titles has India lifted in Under-19 Cricket World Cup?
Answer: India has claimed five Under-19 CWC titles thus far.
3. Under whose captaincy did India last won the U-19 CWC?
Answer: India U-19 men’s team last lifted the Cricket World Cup in 2022 under Yash Dhull’s captaincy.
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