Patidar withdraws from Rising Stars Asia Cup; Rinku Singh named vice-captain
Synopsis
Rajat Patidar's exit from India A's Rising Stars Asia Cup squad is as much about his injury management as it is about shaping the next wave of Indian cricket leadership. Rinku Singh's elevation to vice-captain and Ayush Badoni's inclusion signal the selectors' thinking ahead of a tournament where every performance carries senior-team weight.
Key Takeaways
Rajat Patidar withdrew from the India A squad for the ACC Men's Rising Stars Asia Cup on 8 November 2026 , citing injury management and unwillingness to play the 50-over format .
Ayush Badoni was named as Patidar's replacement in the 15-member squad .
Rinku Singh was appointed vice-captain, with Tilak Varma continuing as captain.
Patidar is expected to lead Madhya Pradesh in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy beginning 14 November .
The Rising Stars Asia Cup runs from 19–29 November in Doha, Qatar ; India A are in Group B with Pakistan A, Nepal and UAE.
Rajat Patidar has pulled out of the India A squad for the ACC Men's Rising Stars Asia Cup, citing ongoing injury management and his unwillingness to be considered for the 50-over format, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed on Sunday, 8 November 2026. The 33-year-old had originally been named vice-captain of the side before informing the board of his decision.
Key Developments
The Men's Selection Committee named Ayush Badoni as Patidar's direct replacement in the 15-member squad. Following the withdrawal, Rinku Singh was elevated to vice-captain, with Tilak Varma — currently India's T20I vice-captain — continuing as captain of the India A side.
Why Patidar Stepped Away
Patidar is reportedly managing pre-existing injuries and is understood to be prioritising his fitness for the domestic circuit. He is expected to lead Madhya Pradesh in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, which begins on 14 November. Madhya Pradesh have been placed in Elite Group C, with their first four matches scheduled at New Chandigarh before they move to Mohali for the remaining fixtures.
India A's Tournament Schedule
The Rising Stars Asia Cup will be held in Doha, Qatar, from 19 to 29 November. India A have been drawn in Group B, alongside Pakistan A, Nepal, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). They open their campaign against Nepal on 20 November at the West End Park International Stadium, before squaring off against Pakistan A at the same venue on 22 November. Their final group-stage match is against the UAE at the University of Doha for Science and Technology on 24 November. The top two teams from each group will progress to semi-finals on 26 and 27 November, with the final on 29 November.
India A's Updated Squad
The revised 15-member squad reads: Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Prabhsimran Singh [WK], Tilak Varma [C], Rinku Singh [VC], Kumar Kushagra [WK], Suryansh Shedge, Shahbaz Ahmed, Vipraj Nigam, Harsh Dubey, Tanush Kotian, Harshit Rana, Prince Yadav, Arshad Khan, and Ayush Badoni.
With the India A side carrying a blend of T20I-capped players and emerging talent, their Group B campaign — particularly the clash against Pakistan A — will be closely watched as a pointer to future senior team selections.
Point of View
But frequent squad churn at the A level risks disrupting team combinations before a tournament even starts. Rinku Singh's elevation to vice-captain is a noteworthy signal from the selectors: the finisher is being groomed for leadership responsibility, not just match-finishing cameos. The more interesting subplot is Patidar's deliberate step back from the 50-over format, which suggests his own read of the senior team's white-ball hierarchy. Whether Badoni can use this unexpected opportunity to cement a case for the senior side will be the quiet story to follow in Doha.
NationPress
8 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Rajat Patidar withdraw from the Rising Stars Asia Cup?
Rajat Patidar withdrew because he does not wish to be considered for the 50-over format while managing existing injuries, according to the BCCI. He is expected to instead lead Madhya Pradesh in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy starting 14 November.
Who replaced Rajat Patidar in the India A squad?
Ayush Badoni was named as Patidar's replacement in the 15-member India A squad for the Rising Stars Asia Cup. The selection was made by the Men's Selection Committee after Patidar informed the BCCI of his decision.
Who is the captain and vice-captain of India A for the Rising Stars Asia Cup?
Tilak Varma captains the India A side, while Rinku Singh has been appointed vice-captain following Patidar's withdrawal. Patidar had originally been named vice-captain before his exit.
Where and when is the ACC Men's Rising Stars Asia Cup 2026?
The tournament is scheduled from 19 to 29 November 2026 in Doha, Qatar. India A's group-stage matches are at the West End Park International Stadium and the University of Doha for Science and Technology.
Which teams are in India A's group at the Rising Stars Asia Cup?
India A have been placed in Group B alongside Pakistan A, Nepal, and the UAE. They face Nepal on 20 November, Pakistan A on 22 November, and UAE on 24 November, with the top two from each group advancing to the semi-finals.
