The men’s Under-19 World Cup gets underway on January 15, and Group B promises high-quality cricket and emerging star power. The group features two former champions—five-time winners India and two-time champions Bangladesh—alongside New Zealand and the USA. Each team brings exciting young talent to the tournament, with several players already making waves in domestic and international cricket.
Here are five standout players from Group B who could define the tournament.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (India)
At just 14 years old, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is already one of the most talked-about young cricketers in the world. He stunned fans during IPL 2025 when he smashed a breathtaking 38-ball century for Rajasthan Royals, instantly becoming a global sensation.
Since then, records have fallen rapidly. The explosive opener recently scored the fastest 150 in men’s List A cricket, reaching the milestone in just 59 balls. He also registered the second-highest Youth ODI score for India with 171 off 95 balls and holds the joint-sixth-fastest century in men’s T20 cricket.
Fearless at the crease and blessed with extraordinary bat speed, Sooryavanshi enters his maiden Under-19 World Cup with expectations sky-high—and the ability to exceed them.
Ayush Mhatre (India)
India’s captain Ayush Mhatre is another prodigious batting talent who has already transitioned into senior-level cricket. The Mumbai teenager made his first-class debut last season and announced himself with a maiden Ranji Trophy century in only his third match.
Mhatre’s white-ball credentials are equally impressive. He smashed 181 off 117 balls in the Vijay Hazare Trophy and caught the spotlight with a blistering 32 off 15 balls on IPL debut for Chennai Super Kings. Ahead of the Under-19 World Cup, he continued his red-hot form with back-to-back centuries for Mumbai in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.
As captain, Mhatre will be crucial not only for his runs but also for leading a title-hungry Indian side.
Azizul Hakim (Bangladesh)
Bangladesh will be led by allrounder Azizul Hakim, six years after the country lifted its maiden Under-19 World Cup title. Hakim brings consistency, leadership, and balance to the side.
Since 2024, he has been one of the most prolific batters in youth cricket, scoring 1,067 runs in 32 matches at an average of 41.03. His tally includes two centuries against Afghanistan. With the ball, he has claimed 26 wickets at a miserly economy rate of 4.59.
Hakim has also tasted senior cricket, playing two first-class matches, which adds valuable experience as he looks to guide Bangladesh deep into the tournament.
Aryan Mann (New Zealand)
Aryan Mann is an aggressive batter who can also keep wicket, offering New Zealand flexibility and firepower. He made an immediate impression on first-class debut, scoring twin half-centuries and effecting four dismissals behind the stumps.
Mann has also benefited from elite exposure, having shared the Northern Districts dressing room with Kane Williamson during the domestic season. Adding to his development, he spent last winter training at the Chennai Super Kings Academy, sharpening his skills in subcontinental conditions.
The Under-19 World Cup presents Mann with a major platform to showcase his talent on the global stage.
Utkarsh Srivastava (USA)
USA captain Utkarsh Srivastava returns to the Under-19 World Cup as one of the most experienced players in the group. The 18-year-old was his team’s leading run-scorer in the previous edition and has since made his senior ODI debut.
In October 2024, he impressed with a counterattacking 67 off 63 balls against Scotland after walking in at 115 for 5. At the West Indies U-19 Rising Stars Tournament in July 2025, he topped the charts again, scoring 289 runs at an average of 41.28, including a commanding 124 against Barbados. He also contributed with the ball, taking nine wickets at 16.88.
A powerful hitter and handy spinner, Srivastava will be central to USA’s hopes of causing upsets in Group B.
