Mohit Ulva added to Saurashtra SMAT squad after U19 Asia Cup heroics

At the Oman Cricket Academy Ground in Muscat on November 14, 2026, India Under-19s pulled off a remarkable one-wicket victory over Pakistan in the Under-19 Asia Cup final, chasing down a target of 338 with the last ball of the innings. The hero of that chase was 18-year-old Mohit Ulva, who walked in at No. 10 with India tottering at 252 for 8 and proceeded to score an unbeaten 49 off just 26 balls at a strike rate of 188.46, sealing the win with a boundary off the final delivery.

Saurashtra Cricket Association president Jaydev Shah confirmed on November 15, 2026 that the association had decided to reward Ulva’s performance by adding him to the Jaydev Unadkat-led Saurashtra squad for the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Shah stated that Ulva had been asked to fly directly to Indore to join the team, and explained the reasoning behind the decision.

“It was a great display of grit and fighting spirit by Mohit. The SCA has decided to include him to the SMAT squad. We have informed him to fly directly to Indore to join the Saurashtra squad, which is playing there. “He is a very talented boy and comes from a humble family in Surendranagar, near Rajkot. He lives in Rajkot. We always try to encourage youngsters, and we have decided that he will be a good addition to the SMAT side,” Shah was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz.

How did Mohit Ulva turn the final around with the bat?

Primarily a bowler who opened India‘s attack in the final, Ulva returned figures of 0 for 57 from 8 overs as Pakistan posted 337 for 9. When India’s chase fell apart and the ninth wicket fell, Ulva came in at No. 10 and immediately took charge. He first stitched a 57-run partnership for the ninth wicket alongside Manal Chauhan, a stand that came off just 35 balls and brought the equation back within reach.

With 7 wickets down at that stage and the target still distant, Ulva then added an unbeaten 30-run stand with No. 11 Chigurpati Venkata off only 16 balls to complete the chase. Interestingly, it was Ulva who struck the winning four off the final ball to seal one of the more dramatic finishes in recent Under-19 Asia Cup history. Reflecting on his mindset during the chase, Ulva said:

“My team and my head coach had belief in me. Also I had belief in myself. So that’s it. I just saw the ball and hit the ball,” Ulva said after the final.

What is the context of Saurashtra’s SMAT campaign?

Saurashtra had already begun their Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy campaign before Ulva’s inclusion was confirmed. The Jaydev Unadkat-led side opened their Group B account on November 14, 2026, defeating the Vaibhav Sooryavanshi-captained Bihar by 5 wickets in their tournament opener. Ulva’s addition to the squad means he could be available for Saurashtra’s next fixture, scheduled for Monday, November 16, against Haryana.

The timing of the call-up, coming within hours of the Under-19 Asia Cup final, underlines the SCA’s intent to fast-track promising youngsters into senior domestic cricket. Ulva, who hails from Surendranagar near Rajkot, will now have the opportunity to represent Saurashtra at the senior level in one of India’s premier domestic T20 competitions.

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