Ramandeep Singh to captain Punjab in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2026-27
Synopsis
Punjab's Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2026-27 campaign adds intrigue beyond the usual squad announcement: a U19 century-scorer against Pakistan is on standby pending a semifinal in Muscat, while veteran pacer Umesh Yadav lines up as a guest player. With the title already on their mantle from 2023-24, Ramandeep Singh's side has the talent — and the motivation — to go all the way again.
Key Takeaways
Ramandeep Singh named captain of Punjab for the 2026-27 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy , as announced by the PCA on 11 November 2026 .
Arjun Rajput , who scored a century against Pakistan at the U19 level, will join Punjab after his Under-19 Asia Cup duties; India face Afghanistan in the semifinal in Muscat on 12 November .
Prabhsimran Singh is replaced by Sehaj Dhawan after being named in the India A squad for the Men's Rising Stars Asia Cup in Doha (19–29 November) .
Veteran pacer Umesh Yadav features as a guest player for Punjab this season.
Punjab open their campaign against Haryana on 14 November in Elite Group B .
Punjab are the reigning champions having won the title in 2023-24 , and are four-time runners-up.
Seam-bowling all-rounder Ramandeep Singh has been named captain of Punjab for the 2026-27 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) announced on Wednesday, 11 November 2026. Young batter Arjun Rajput — who recently struck a century against Pakistan at the Under-19 level — is set to link up with the squad once his Under-19 Asia Cup commitments conclude.
Rajput's Arrival Hinges on U19 Asia Cup Progress
The timing of Rajput's inclusion will depend on how far India Under-19 advance in the tournament. The side is scheduled to face Afghanistan in the second semifinal in Muscat on Thursday, 12 November. Should India progress to the final, Rajput's availability for Punjab will be pushed back accordingly.
Squad Changes: Sehaj Dhawan in for Prabhsimran Singh
Punjab will also see a mid-campaign change behind the stumps. Prabhsimran Singh, the first-choice wicketkeeper-batter, has been selected for the India A squad for the Men's Rising Stars Asia Cup, to be held in Doha from 19 to 29 November. Sehaj Dhawan will step in as his replacement. In Prabhsimran's absence, Salil Arora will serve as the designated wicketkeeper for Punjab's opening matches.
Squad Composition and Key Names
The batting unit features experience and youth in equal measure. Anmolpreet Singh, Sanvir Singh, Uday Saharan, and Vihaan Malhotra bolster the middle and top order. The spin department will be led by left-arm spinner Harpreet Brar and leg-spinner Raghu Sharma. Among the seamers, Sukhdeep Bajwa, Krish Bhagat, Jashan Jindal, Emanjot Singh Chahal, Sahil Bhaskar, and Kartik Chadda — who impressed in this year's Sher-e-Punjab tournament — provide pace options. Notably, veteran pacer Umesh Yadav is part of the squad as a guest player for the season.
Punjab's Schedule in Elite Group B
Punjab have been placed in Elite Group B alongside Haryana, Delhi, Railways, Tamil Nadu, Jammu and Kashmir, Saurashtra, and Bihar. Their campaign begins on 14 November at 9 am against neighbours Haryana, followed by clashes with Delhi on 16 November, Railways on 18 November, and Tamil Nadu on 20 November. Punjab will then take on Jammu and Kashmir on 22 November, Saurashtra on 24 November, and round off their group commitments against Bihar on 26 November.
Punjab's Title Pedigree
Punjab bring strong credentials to the tournament, having won the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy in 2023-24 and finishing as runners-up on four occasions. Under Ramandeep's captaincy, the side will look to mount another title challenge in what promises to be a competitive group stage.
Full Squad: Vishwa Nath Pratap, Prabhsimran Singh (Sehaj Dhawan to replace later), Vihaan Malhotra, Anmolpreet Singh, Uday Saharan, Salil Arora (wk), Ramandeep Singh (captain), Sanvir Singh, Raghu Sharma, Harpreet Brar, Sahil Bhaskar, Kartik Chadda, Emanjot Singh Chahal, Sukhdeep Bajwa, Jashan Jindal, Krish Bhagat, and Umesh Yadav.
Point of View
But the squad's ability to absorb late arrivals and mid-tournament replacements without disrupting team chemistry will be as important as individual talent in a knockout-format competition.
NationPress
11 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who will captain Punjab in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2026-27?
Seam-bowling all-rounder Ramandeep Singh has been named captain of Punjab for the 2026-27 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, as confirmed by the Punjab Cricket Association on 11 November 2026.
When will Arjun Rajput join the Punjab squad?
Arjun Rajput will join Punjab after his Under-19 Asia Cup commitments end. His arrival depends on India's progress in the tournament — the side faces Afghanistan in the second semifinal in Muscat on 12 November.
Why is Prabhsimran Singh not available for Punjab's early matches?
Prabhsimran Singh has been named in the India A squad for the Men's Rising Stars Asia Cup in Doha, scheduled from 19 to 29 November. Sehaj Dhawan will replace him in the Punjab squad, with Salil Arora serving as wicketkeeper in the interim.
Who is Umesh Yadav playing for in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy?
Veteran pacer Umesh Yadav is featuring for Punjab as a guest player in the 2026-27 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy season.
When and where do Punjab play their first match in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy?
Punjab open their Elite Group B campaign against Haryana at 9 am on 14 November. Their group stage also includes fixtures against Delhi, Railways, Tamil Nadu, Jammu and Kashmir, Saurashtra, and Bihar through 26 November.
