Indian wicket-keeper batter Rishabh Pant will return to competitive cricket after a long absence when he captains India A in two four-day matches against South Africa A from October 30 to November 9. The matches, to be played at the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru, will be an important build-up to India’s Test series against South Africa.
Rishabh Pant Marks Comeback After Injury Layoff
This is Rishabh Pant’s return after a toe fracture injury he suffered in the Manchester Test vs England last July. The left-hander sat out the fifth Test of that series and some home games against the West Indies as he recuperated.
With his comeback, Pant will also likely regain his position in India’s senior Test team, joining the national team ahead of the highly anticipated South Africa Tests starting mid-November.
BCCI Announces Two Squads for India A Fixtures
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has declared two separate teams for the two four-day games. Surprisingly, Sarfaraz Khan is not included in either of the teams. Sai Sudharsan is named vice-captain in both matches.
The first match has a slightly Ranji Trophy-like team, as a few of the top players are already occupied with the current limited-over series against Australia.
India A Team for First Four-Day Match
The initial match team is loaded with home-based talent and young players. Rishabh Pant will captain the team, while Ayush Mhatre, the young opener, gets his maiden call-up. The team also features Devdutt Padikkal, Sai Sudharsan, and Rajat Patidar as batsmen.
Middle-order support comes from all-rounders Harsh Dubey, Tanush Kotian, and Manav Suthar, while Yash Thakur, Anshul Kamboj, and Saransh Jain form the bowling attack.
India A Squad for 1st Four-Day Match:
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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.
Senior Players to Join for Second Four-Day Match
The second match team witnesses the return of a few Test regulars as India shifts its gears for the South African tour. KL Rahul, Dhruv Jurel, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Prasidh Krishna, and Mohammed Siraj make their way back to the group, along with Bengal pacer Akash Deep. Left-arm pacer Khaleel Ahmed and seam bowler Gurnoor Brar are also a part, in place of the young bowlers of the initial match.
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.
Players Mhatre, Patidar, Kamboj, Thakur, Badoni, and Saransh Jain will be replaced by the senior incoming players.
Rishabh Pant to Lead India A vs South Africa A: Series Schedule
Both the four-day matches will be held at the Centre of Excellence, Bengaluru, before the India vs South Africa Test series, which begins on November 14 in Kolkata.
India A vs South Africa A Series Fixture:
1st Four-day Match: October 30 – November 2, Bengaluru
2nd Four-day Match: November 6 – November 9, Bengaluru
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