Three young cricketers of Indian heritage, Aryan Sharma from Victoria and Yash Deshmukh and John James from New South Wales, have been named in Australia’s Under-19 squad for a highly anticipated home series against India.
Cricket Australia announced the 15-player line-up for the five-match tour, which will run from 21 September to 10 October 2025, featuring three day-night 50-over matches and two four-day fixtures in Brisbane and Mackay.
The multi-format series is a cornerstone of Cricket Australia’s long-term player development pathway, designed to provide emerging talent with high-intensity international exposure in both white-ball and red-ball formats. It also serves as a key step in preparations for the ICC U19 Men’s World Cup, to be hosted in Zimbabwe and Namibia in January 2026.
Aryan Sharma, a top-order batsman from Carlton Cricket Club, John James of Northern Districts Cricket Club in New South Wales, and Yash Deshmukh, a promising pace bowler from Fairfield Liverpool Cricket Club, have all been standout performers in their respective state programs.
This series will mark the first assignment for new head coach Tim Nielsen, who previously led the Australian senior men’s team from 2007 to 2011. Nielsen’s wealth of international coaching experience is expected to be a significant asset in preparing the squad to compete against India’s traditionally strong U19 line-up.
Cricket Australia’s Head of National Development, Sonya Thompson, emphasised the importance of the series in shaping the future of Australian cricket. “This series against India provides a valuable opportunity for our young players to experience international cricket in white-ball and red-ball formats, and to test themselves against a high-quality opponent,” she said.
“The multi-format tour is designed to challenge players to adapt and grow, while also giving selectors and coaches meaningful insights ahead of the National U19 Championships in December.”
Cricket Australia says new U19 head coach Tim Nielsen will play a key role in guiding and inspiring the next generation of Australian cricketers.
The tour will be the latest step in a two-year preparation cycle for the World Cup, which has so far included a camp at the National Cricket Centre in Brisbane, an overseas tour to India, and a specialised spin and batting training program on the subcontinent.
Following the India series, players will return to their home states and territories for the National Under-19 Championships in December. Performances there will play a decisive role in determining the final squad for the World Cup.
Full Australia U19 squad:
Simon Budge (WA), Alex Turner (VIC), Steve Hogan (QLD), Will Malajczuk (WA), Yash Deshmukh (NSW), Tom Hogan (ACT), Aryan Sharma (VIC), John James (NSW), Hayden Schiller (SA), Charles Lachmund (QLD), Ben Gordon (QLD), Will Byrom (NSW), Kasey Barton (NSW), Alex Lee Young (NSW), Jayden Draper (NSW).
Reserves: Zed Hollick (WA), Tom Paddington (VIC), Julian Osborne (NSW).
Series schedule:
- 21 Sept – 1st 50-over match (D/N), Ian Healy Oval, Brisbane
- 24 Sept – 2nd 50-over match (D/N), Ian Healy Oval, Brisbane
- 26 Sept – 3rd 50-over match (D/N), Ian Healy Oval, Brisbane
- 30 Sept – 3 Oct – 1st four-day match, Ian Healy Oval, Brisbane
- 7–10 Oct – 2nd four-day match, Great Barrier Reef Arena, Mackay
With the series offering a rare opportunity for Australia’s U19 cricketers to face one of the strongest youth teams in the world, all eyes will be on Sharma, Deshmukh, and their teammates as they aim to make a statement ahead of next year’s World Cup.
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