Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) went into the IPL 2026 auction with a very limited budget. So, they had to move smartly. The franchise retained most of their players from the last season. During the auction, they mostly invested in young players. 

Kanishk Chouhan was one of the emerging players who was picked by RCB from the IPL 2026 mini auction. The all-rounder is an integral part of the India Under-19 setup who has so far performed brilliantly in the ongoing Asia Cup U-19 tournament. After the auction, Indian cricket fans got more curious about the player. 

The 19-year-old was among the best performers during the India U-19 vs Pakistan U-19 match on December 14. With the bat, he scored 46 runs and took 3 important wickets to defend a total of 240. For this all-round performance, the Rajasthan-born got the man of the match award. 

Read More: Watch: Virat Kohli explains why number 18 special for his life

Watch some glimpses of Kanishk Chouhan's batting in Asia Cup U-19

RCB’s New Recruit Kanishk Chouhan in ongoing U19 Asia Cuppic.twitter.com/4YIeObWp9R

— Fearless🦁 (@ViratTheLegend) December 18, 2025

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) retained players and new players for the IPL 2026 season: For only INR 30 lakhs, the defending champion secured his sign. He is currently a second-year BA student at Shah Satnam Ji Boys College, Sirsa, and has been playing for the Shah Satnam Cricket Academy, Sirsa, for the past 10 years. His father, Pradeep Kumar, is a farmer, and his mother is a homemaker. He is the only son in his family. 

RCB full squad 

Retained players:

Rajat Patidar (c), Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, Phil Salt, Jitesh Sharma, Krunal Pandya, Swapnil Singh, Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Jacob Bethell, Josh Hazlewood, Yash Dayal, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Nuwan Thushara, Rasikh Salam, Abhinandan Singh, and Suyash Sharma.

Players from the IPL 2026 auction:

Venkatesh Iyer (7 cr), Mangesh Yadav (5.2 cr), Jacob Duffy (2 cr), Satwik Deswal (30 L), Jordan Cox (75 L), Vihaan Malhotra (30 L), Kanishk Chouhan (30 L), Vicky Ostwal (30 L)

India Under-19 clinched a thrilling four-wicket win over England Under-19 in the rain-curtailed third Youth ODI at Northampton, taking a 2–1 lead in the five-match series. Due to a two-hour rain delay, the match was reduced to 40 overs per side. Chasing a revised target of 269, India completed the job in just 34.3 overs, an electrifying innings from Vaibhav Suryavanshi and a calm, match-winning partnership between Kanishk Chouhan and RS Ambrish. England had earlier posted a strong total on the back of another fine knock by Thomas Rew. However, India’s attacking intent from the outset meant the chase was always within reach. With the win, India reclaimed momentum ahead of the final two ODIs.

England U19 Innings: 268/6 in 40 Overs

England made the most of favorable batting conditions after being put in to bat. Openers Ben Dawkins (62 off 61) and Isaac Mohammed (41 off 43) gave the hosts a strong start with aggressive stroke play. Vihan Malhotra broke the stand by trapping Mohammed LBW, and wickets soon followed. Kanishk Chouhan bowled a brilliant spell, taking 3/30, including the key wickets of Ben Mayes (31), Rocky Flintoff (16), and Joseph Moores for a duck. After Dawkins' dismissal, England seemed to lose steam, but Thomas Rew once again rescued the innings. Ralphie Albert scored 21, while Sebastian Morgan chipped in with 10* at the death. England's late tempo push saw them post 268/6, a score that looked defendable at halftime.

India U19 Innings: 274/6 in 34.3 Overs

India’s run chase got off to a shaky start, losing stand-in skipper Abhigyan Kundu early. But what followed was a Suryavanshi special—Vaibhav Suryavanshi lit up the County Ground with a jaw-dropping 86 off just 31 balls. His knock consisted of 9 huge sixes and 6 fours, reaching his fifty in a mere 20 balls—the second-quickest by an Indian U19 batsman. Even after he got out, India kept scoring at a good clip through Vihaan Malhotra (46) and Rahul Kumar (27), who put on a solid 47-run partnership. But then there was a mini-collapse as India lost three wickets in quick succession, from 169/4 to 186/6. With over 80 runs still needed, RS Ambrish (31*) and Kanishk Chouhan (43*) calmly rebuilt the innings. Their unbroken 50+ partnership sealed the win in 34.3 overs. Ralphie Albert (2/47) was the best bowler for England, but India’s explosive start made the difference.

ENG U19 vs IND U19, 3rd ODI: Key performances

• Suryavanshi Goes Ballistic: Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s 86 off 31 was the defining innings, with breathtaking strokeplay and power hitting.
• Kanishk's All-Round Show: Chouhan remained unperturbed under pressure after a 3-wicket spell and smashed a match-winning 43*.
• Thomas Rew Delivers Again: England received much-needed late momentum from Rew's unbeaten 76 in their innings.
• Middle-Order Stumbles: Quick wickets were lost by India after a decent beginning but then regrouped in an effective manner.
• Ambrish Stands Tall: RS Ambrish supported the back end, guiding India home with Kanishk Chouhan.

See Also: WATCH: Ben Stokes and Yashasvi Jaiswal get involved in verbal spat during ENG vs IND 2nd Test

ENG U19 vs IND U19, 3rd Youth ODI: Match Scorecard

England U19 Innings – 268/6 (40 Overs)

India U19 Innings – 274/6 (34.3 Overs)