Rishabh Pant to Lead India A in South Africa Series, Marks Return from Injury
The wicketkeeper-batter will captain India A in two four-day matches in Bengaluru from October 30 to November 9, signalling his comeback to competitive cricket after a fractured toe ruled him out since July.
India A captain Rishabh Pant is set to make a competitive return from injury as he leads the side in two four-day matches against South Africa A from October 30 to November 9 at the Centre of Excellence here.
Pant, who missed the fifth Test against England and two home Tests versus West Indies due to a fractured toe sustained in Manchester in July, is expected to regain his spot in India's senior Test side.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has named two separate squads for the matches, with Sai Sudharsan appointed vice-captain. Notably, Sarfaraz Khan is absent from both squads.
The first-match squad carries a strong Ranji Trophy flavour due to a clash with India's ongoing limited-overs tour of Australia. Selections include 18-year-old Ayush Mhatre, Rajat Patidar, and retained members Ayush Badoni, Devdutt Padikkal, Sudharsan, and N Jagadeesan.
The allrounders are Harsh Dubey, Tanush Kotian, and Manav Suthar, while the bowling lineup features Yash Thakur, Anshul Kamboj, and Saransh Jain. Dubey, Kotian, Thakur, and Suthar all participated in last month’s four-day series against Australia A.
India A squad for 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.
For the second match, more Test regulars return, including KL Rahul, Dhruv Jurel, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Prasidh Krishna, and Mohammed Siraj. Akash Deep is drafted after his Ranji Trophy performance for Bengal, with fast bowlers Khaleel Ahmed and Gurnoor Brar completing the squad. Players from the first match such as Mhatre, Patidar, Kamboj, Thakur, Badoni, and Saransh are excluded.
India A squad for 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.
Series schedule:
1st Four-day match: Oct 30 to Nov 2, Centre of Excellence, Bengaluru
2nd Four-day match: Nov 6 to Nov 9, Centre of Excellence, Bengaluru