Rishabh Pant is all set to make his return to competitive cricket as he captains India A in two four-day matches against South Africa A from October 30 to November 9. Pant, who has been recovering from a fractured toe sustained during the Manchester Test against England in July, will use the series as a key step towards rejoining the senior Indian Test squad. He missed the fifth Test against England and both home Tests against the West Indies due to the injury.
According to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), separate squads have been named for the two matches, with Sai Sudharsan appointed vice-captain. Notably, Sarfaraz Khan has been left out of both teams.
With the South Africa A matches overlapping the limited-overs series in Australia, the first four-day squad carries a distinct domestic cricket influence. Rising talents Ayush Mhatre, Rajat Patidar, and Ayush Badoni are part of the side, joined by batters Devdutt Padikkal, Sudharsan, and N Jagadeesan. The all-round department includes Harsh Dubey, Tanush Kotian, and Manav Suthar, while Yash Thakur, Anshul Kamboj, and Saransh Jain handle the bowling responsibilities. All four of Dubey, Kotian, Thakur, and Suthar featured in the recent matches against Australia A.
Also read: Rough Return Down Under: Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli Flop in Comeback Game
India A squad for the 1st four-day match:
Rishabh Pant (C, WK), Ayush Mhatre, N Jagadeesan (WK), Sai Sudharsan (VC), Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar, Harsh Dubey, Tanush Kotian, Manav Suthar, Anshul Kamboj, Yash Thakur, Ayush Badoni, Saransh Jain.
The second fixture will include several Test regulars as Pant continues his leadership role. KL Rahul, Dhruv Jurel, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Prasidh Krishna, and Mohammed Siraj join the squad, adding international experience. Akash Deep, coming off a strong Ranji Trophy performance for Bengal, also features alongside pacers Khaleel Ahmed and Gurnoor Brar.
India A squad for the 2nd four-day match:
Rishabh Pant (C, WK), KL Rahul, Dhruv Jurel (WK), Sai Sudharsan (VC), Devdutt Padikkal, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Harsh Dubey, Tanush Kotian, Manav Suthar, Khaleel Ahmed, Gurnoor Brar, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Prasidh Krishna, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep.
Players Mhatre, Patidar, Kamboj, Thakur, Badoni, and Saransh Jain miss out on the second game.
Both matches will take place at the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. The South Africa tour will officially begin on November 14 in Kolkata.
Series schedule:
1st four-day match: October 30 – November 2, Centre of Excellence, Bengaluru
2nd four-day match: November 6 – November 9, Centre of Excellence, Bengaluru
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