Ayush Badoni replaces Rajat Patidar in India A; Rinku Singh vice-captain
By Aarav DeshpandeSports Correspondent, Peepals Yuva
Representative image: manfredrichter / Pixabay
BCCI named Ayush Badoni in India A's Rising Stars Asia Cup squad for Rajat Patidar, who is managing injuries, and made Rinku Singh vice-captain on 8 November 2026.
What Happened
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has named Ayush Badoni in the India A squad for the ACC Rising Stars Asia Cup 2026 in place of Rajat Patidar, and made Rinku Singh the team's vice-captain, in changes announced on Sunday, 8 November 2026. Patidar, who had been vice-captain, asked not to be considered for the 50-over format while he manages his existing injuries, the BCCI said. Tilak Varma continues as captain for the tournament in Doha, Qatar, where India A open against Nepal A on Friday, 20 November.
Key Facts
- Change announced: Sunday, 8 November 2026, by the BCCI.
- Out: Rajat Patidar, who told the board he should not be considered for 50-over cricket while he manages his injuries.
- In: Ayush Badoni, a right-handed middle-order batter who can also finish innings, according to reports.
- New vice-captain: Rinku Singh, replacing Patidar in that role.
- Captain: Tilak Varma, unchanged.
- Venue: Doha, Qatar; the tournament runs from 19 to 29 November 2026, according to reports, with semi-finals on 26 and 27 November and the final on 29 November.
- India A group matches: Nepal A on 20 November, Pakistan A on 22 November and UAE A on 24 November, according to reports.
Why It Matters
The Rising Stars Asia Cup is where many of India's next international players get their first taste of cricket against other countries' second teams. Selection matters because performances here are noticed by national selectors and by franchise scouts. Badoni's call-up gives a middle-order batter who has impressed as a finisher a chance to show what he can do in a competitive 50-over tournament abroad.
Rinku Singh's appointment as vice-captain gives him a leadership role in the side, with responsibility in team decisions alongside captain Tilak Varma.
Patidar's withdrawal also says something about how players now manage their bodies across formats. By asking not to be considered for 50-over cricket while dealing with injuries, he is choosing where to spend his fitness. Reports noted it was not clear from the BCCI release whether this applies only to this tournament or to future 50-over commitments as well.
Peepals timeline: India A's squad for the ACC Rising Stars Asia Cup 2026 was announced with Tilak Varma as captain and Rajat Patidar as vice-captain, a selection Peepals reported earlier. On Sunday, 8 November 2026, the BCCI said Patidar would not be considered for the 50-over format while he manages injuries, named Ayush Badoni in his place and made Rinku Singh vice-captain. India A begin their campaign against Nepal A on Friday, 20 November, in Doha.
| Date | India A fixture or event |
|---|---|
| Sunday, 8 November 2026 | Badoni replaces Patidar; Rinku Singh named vice-captain |
| Friday, 20 November 2026 | India A vs Nepal A |
| Sunday, 22 November 2026 | India A vs Pakistan A |
| Tuesday, 24 November 2026 | India A vs UAE A |
| Thursday, 26 and Friday, 27 November 2026 | Semi-finals |
| Sunday, 29 November 2026 | Final |
Impact
Short-term: Badoni joins the squad for the trip to Doha, and India A's leadership changes ahead of their opening match against Nepal A on 20 November.
Long-term: Good performances in Doha could push Badoni and Rinku Singh further up the selectors' list. Patidar's choice to step back from 50-over cricket while managing injuries may shape how he is used across formats in the coming season.
Who is affected: Ayush Badoni, Rajat Patidar, Rinku Singh and the rest of the India A squad, the team management and national selectors, and young cricketers and fans following India's emerging talent.
What to watch next: India A's opening match against Nepal A on 20 November 2026 in Doha.
Key Takeaway
The BCCI has brought Ayush Badoni into India A's Rising Stars Asia Cup squad for Rajat Patidar, who is managing injuries, and made Rinku Singh vice-captain, ahead of the tournament in Doha from 19 November 2026.
Questions and Answers
Why is Rajat Patidar out of the India A squad?
The BCCI said Patidar asked not to be considered for selection in the 50-over format while he manages his existing injuries.
Who replaced Rajat Patidar in the India A squad?
Ayush Badoni, a right-handed middle-order batter who can also act as a finisher, according to reports. The change was announced on 8 November 2026.
Who is India A's vice-captain for the Rising Stars Asia Cup 2026?
Rinku Singh has been named vice-captain, replacing Patidar in that role. Tilak Varma remains captain.
When does India A play its first match?
India A open against Nepal A on Friday, 20 November 2026, in Doha, then play Pakistan A on 22 November and UAE A on 24 November, according to reports.
Disclaimer: Prepared by the Peepals newsroom from publicly available sources with AI assistance. Information is accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication and may change. Images may be representative. Not professional advice. Report an error via our contact page.
By Aarav Deshpande, Sports CorrespondentCovers Sports and more for Peepals Yuva. All stories by Aarav Deshpande
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Aarav Deshpande is a pen name of the Peepals Global Editorial Team, which researches, fact-checks and publishes every story. The portrait is an illustration.
