Bengal leg-spinner Rohit Yadav has been withdrawn from India’s Under-19 squads for the upcoming home series against Australia after discrepancies were found in his age-related records. The BCCI has named Saurashtra’s Aryan Savsani as his replacement in the One-Day squad and Haryana’s Tanmay Baloda for the Multi-Day team. 

The BCCI’s Junior Cricket Committee announced the changes on Tuesday. Rohit had initially been selected for both the One-Day and Multi-Day fixtures against Australia U-19, which will be played in Rajkot and Ahmedabad. 

Rohit withdrawn after age discrepancy

According to the BCCI, Rohit was removed from both squads because of age discrepancies. The board’s latest official release confirms his withdrawal but does not provide details of the documents or the specific discrepancy. 

Reports based on the Cricket Association of Bengal’s (CAB) verification process say Rohit was handed a two-year banafter irregularities were detected during a pre-season documentation review. He had been part of India’s U-19 tour of Sri Lanka in July. 

The reported discrepancy in his age is 27 months, according to information attributed to the CAB. The episode is part of a wider scrutiny of age-related documentation in Bengal age-group cricket.

Aryan Savsani gets One-Day opportunity

The BCCI has selected Aryan Savsani of the Saurashtra Cricket Association to replace Rohit in the One-Day squad.

Savsani joins a squad led by Lakshya Raichandani, with Yashbardhan Chauhan serving as vice-captain. The team also includes Aaryavir Sehwag and Anvay Dravid, who were part of the original squad announced last month. 

For Savsani, the late change provides an opportunity to be part of an India U-19 side facing Australia in a three-match One-Day series.

Tanmay Baloda added to Multi-Day team

Tanmay Baloda of Haryana Cricket Association has been brought into the Multi-Day squad in place of Rohit.

The longer-format team will be captained by Yashbardhan Chauhan, with Lakshya Raichandani as his deputy. The squad also features two wicketkeepers — Manav Krishna and Abhipray Biswas. 

The two replacements mean Rohit’s place has been filled separately in each format rather than by a single player.

Australia U-19 series schedule

India U-19 will host Australia U-19 for three One-Day matches and two Multi-Day fixtures.

The three One-Day games will be played in Rajkot on September 18, 21 and 23. The first Multi-Day fixture will also be held in Rajkot from September 27 to 30, while the second will take place in Ahmedabad from October 5 to 8. 

The series is part of India’s preparation and development programme for its next generation of international cricketers.

Wider age-verification issue in Bengal

Rohit’s case has emerged amid broader scrutiny of age documentation in Bengal cricket. Reports have said the CAB flagged dozens of players for discrepancies, including former India U-19 World Cup winner Ravi Kumar. 

However, individual cases should be distinguished from one another. A documentation discrepancy does not by itself establish deliberate manipulation unless the relevant disciplinary process determines that.

In Rohit’s case, the BCCI has confirmed his withdrawal from the Australia U-19 squads because of age discrepancies, while reports separately state that a two-year ban was imposed.

India U-19 One-Day Squad

Lakshya Raichandani (C), Yashbardhan Chauhan (VC), Rajat Baghel (WK), Aaryavir Sehwag, V.K. Vineet, Kushagra Ojha, Arjun Rajput, Manal Chauhan, Anvay Dravid (WK), V. Yashveer, Shavin Vinodh, Mohit Ulva, Chigurupati Venkata, Kavya Patel, Aryan Savsani. 

India U-19 Multi-Day Squad

Yashbardhan Chauhan (C), Lakshya Raichandani (VC), Sagar Virk, Kushagra Ojha, Manal Chauhan, Kush Patel, Manav Krishna (WK), Abhipray Biswas (WK), Ishan Om, Ayaan Akram, Pranav Ragavendra, Priyanshu Singh, Mohit Ulva, Aryan Yadav, Tanmay Baloda. 

In a display of raw talent and unyielding determination, Pakistan's U-19 team crushed India by 191 runs to claim their second U-19 Asia Cup 2025 title at the ICC Academy in Dubai on December 21. Sameer Minhas' blistering 172 off 113 balls powered Pakistan to 347/8, setting an insurmountable target that exposed India's batting frailties.

This victory, the second-biggest margin in a U-19 Asia Cup final, reignites the eternal Indo-Pak rivalry just days before the holiday season, spotlighting the next generation of cricket stars amid global youth sports buzz.

Minhas' Masterclass: Record-Breaking Innings Lights Up Dubai

Sameer Minhas, the tournament's standout performer, etched his name in history with the highest score in a U-19 Asia Cup final—surpassing Sami Aslam's 134 from 2012. His knock, laced with 17 fours and nine sixes, came at a strike rate of over 152, blending fearless aggression with smart placement. Batting first after losing the toss, Pakistan's openers Hamza Zahoor and Minhas laid a solid foundation before Ahmed Hussain's gritty 56 steadied the middle order.

India's bowlers fought valiantly, with Deepesh Devendran claiming 3/83 as the pick of the attack. Henil Patel (2/62) and Khilan Patel (2/44) chipped in, but the total proved too steep on a batsman-friendly pitch. As Minhas reflected post-match: "I just played my natural game for the team—no pressure, just pure joy on this batting track." His efforts earned him Player of the Match and Player of the Tournament honors, a nod to his consistent brilliance across the event.

India's Chase Crumbles: Bowling Brilliance from Pakistan Seals the Deal

Chasing 348, India's innings imploded spectacularly, folding for a mere 156 in 26.2 overs. Captain Ayush Mhatre's decision to bowl first backfired as early fireworks from Vaibhav Suryavanshi (26, including a first-ball six) fizzled out. Wickets tumbled relentlessly: Mhatre (2), Aaron George, and Vihaan Malhotra fell cheaply, leaving the middle order in tatters.

Pakistan's bowlers, led by Ali Raza's incisive 4/42, turned the screw. Mohammad Sayyam (2/38), Abdul Subhan (2/29), and Huzaifa Ahsan (2/12) shared the spoils, dismantling India's lineup with sharp lines and probing lengths. Deepesh Devendran's gritty 36 off 16 balls offered fleeting resistance, but it was too little, too late. Mhatre admitted post-match: "They batted brilliantly; we had an off day in the field. Positives abound, though—the boys showed fight throughout the tournament."

- Key Stats: Pakistan's 347/8 is the second-highest total in a U-19 Asia Cup final.

- Milestone: Second title for Pakistan, after the 2012 shared triumph with India.

- Rivalry Edge: India's sole loss in the tournament came in the decider, amplifying the heartbreak.

Why This U-19 Asia Cup 2025 Win Matters Now

In the high-stakes world of youth cricket, this triumph underscores Pakistan's depth in emerging talent, vital as both nations eye senior World Cup preparations in 2026. Experts like former Pakistan coach Mansoor Akhtar hail Minhas as a "future Babar Azam," predicting his Test debut soon. For India, it's a wake-up call on chasing big totals—vital lessons for the U-19 World Cup cycle.

Captain Farhan Yousaf beamed: "Losing the toss was a blessing; our morale stayed sky-high after the group-stage loss to India." ACC President Mohsin Naqvi presented the trophy, joining the jubilant huddle—a symbolic bridge in rivalry.

As fireworks lit Dubai's skyline, Pakistan's young lions roared. This U-19 Asia Cup 2025 isn't just a win; it's a promise of fireworks to come in cricket's grand theater. Fans, mark these names—they're the future.