India U19 men tour Sri Lanka July 2026: 3 ODIs and 2 four-day games
Synopsis
Fresh off a record sixth U19 World Cup title, India's next-gen squad heads to Sri Lanka in July 2026 for three ODIs and two four-day games — with 15-year-old IPL sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who was Player of the Tournament, set to feature. It is the most loaded developmental calendar India's U19 programme has seen in years.
Key Takeaways
India U19 men will tour Sri Lanka in July 2026 for 3 ODIs (4, 6, 9 July at Hambantota) and 2 four-day games (13–16 July at Galle; 20–23 July in Colombo).
The squad arrives in Sri Lanka on 30 June 2026 , confirmed by Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) .
India enter the tour as Men's U19 World Cup champions for a record sixth time , having won in Zimbabwe and Namibia in 2026.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi , aged 15 , is eligible for the series; he was named Player of the Final and Player of the Tournament at the U19 World Cup.
India U19 will subsequently host Australia for 3 ODIs and 2 four-day games in Rajkot and Ahmedabad in September–October 2026 .
The Indian men's U19 team will tour Sri Lanka in July 2026 for a bilateral series featuring three one-day matches and two four-day games, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) confirmed on Wednesday, 20 May. The squad is scheduled to arrive on 30 June, with the series kicking off just four days later.
ODI Schedule and Venues
The white-ball leg opens on 4 July at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium (MRICS) in Hambantota, with the second and third one-day games to follow at the same venue on 6 July and 9 July, respectively. All three 50-over fixtures will be played at MRICS, giving both squads consistency of conditions.
Four-Day Fixtures
The red-ball segment begins on 13 July, with the first four-day match running through 16 July at the iconic Galle International Cricket Stadium (GICS). The second four-day game is scheduled from 20–23 July at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium (RPICS) in Colombo, rounding off what is a comprehensive developmental tour.
Context: World Cup Winners on Tour
The tour carries added significance as India arrive as holders of the Men's U19 World Cup, which they won for a record sixth time earlier this year in Zimbabwe and Namibia. Bilateral exposure against a competitive Sri Lanka side at established Test venues is expected to sharpen the squad ahead of future challenges. This is the kind of structured follow-up cricket boards have increasingly prioritised for title-winning age-group sides.
Sooryavanshi: The Prodigy to Watch
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, India's 15-year-old opening batting prodigy, will remain age-eligible for both the Sri Lanka and Australia series. The right-hander first seized national attention during India's U19 series against Australia in 2024, when he blazed 104 off 62 balls in the opening youth Test in Chennai — at just 13 years of age. He was named Player of the Final and Player of the Tournament at the U19 World Cup, and is currently featuring for Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2026. He is also set to represent India A in the 50-over tri-series in Sri Lanka from 9–21 June before the U19 tour begins.
Australia Series to Follow
After the Sri Lanka tour, the India U19 men's side will host Australia for a three-match one-day series in Rajkot on 18, 21, and 23 September. Two four-day games will then follow, starting 27 September in Rajkot and 5 October in Ahmedabad, making it a packed developmental calendar through the second half of 2026.
Point of View
Not just a goodwill tour. The BCCI has historically struggled to convert age-group talent into senior Test cricketers at scale, and structured red-ball exposure at venues like Galle is precisely the kind of preparation that bridges that gap. Sooryavanshi's presence is the subplot that will dominate coverage, but the real test of this tour's value will be how many of these players are playing Ranji Trophy and India A cricket within two seasons. The Australia home series that follows in September doubles the developmental load — and the scrutiny.
NationPress
13 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When does India U19 tour Sri Lanka in 2026?
The India U19 men's squad arrives in Sri Lanka on 30 June 2026, with the tour running from 4 July to 23 July. It comprises three ODIs in Hambantota and two four-day matches in Galle and Colombo.
What is the full schedule for India U19 vs Sri Lanka 2026?
The three ODIs are on 4, 6, and 9 July at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium in Hambantota. The first four-day game runs from 13–16 July at Galle International Cricket Stadium, and the second from 20–23 July at R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo.
Why is the India U19 Sri Lanka tour 2026 significant?
India arrive as U19 World Cup champions for a record sixth time, having won the tournament in Zimbabwe and Namibia earlier in 2026. The tour offers the title-winning squad competitive red-ball and white-ball exposure against a strong Sri Lanka side at established international venues.
Will Vaibhav Sooryavanshi play in the India U19 Sri Lanka series?
Yes, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi remains age-eligible for the series. The 15-year-old was Player of the Final and Player of the Tournament at the 2026 U19 World Cup, and previously scored 104 off 62 balls in a youth Test against Australia in Chennai in 2024 at age 13.
What series follows the India U19 Sri Lanka tour?
After the Sri Lanka tour, India U19 will host Australia for three ODIs in Rajkot on 18, 21, and 23 September, followed by two four-day games starting 27 September in Rajkot and 5 October in Ahmedabad.
