New Delhi, October 21 – Wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant has been declared fully fit and will captain the India A team in the upcoming red-ball series against South Africa A, marking his return to competitive cricket after recovering from a foot injury sustained during the England tour earlier this year.
As per agency report, Pant had injured his right toe while batting in the fourth Test in Manchester in July but continued to play and scored a half-century despite the pain. The injury later ruled him out of the Asia Cup and the home Test series against the West Indies.
The selectors have now included Pant in the India A squad for two four-day matches to be played in Bengaluru starting October 30. The assignment is expected to help him prepare for the senior team’s two-Test series against South Africa, beginning November 14 in Kolkata.
Sai Sudharsan has been named vice-captain for both matches. The squad also features KL Rahul, Devdutt Padikkal, wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel, and pacers Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna — all of whom were part of India’s recent Test series against the West Indies.
Siraj, Prasidh, Akash Deep, and Jurel will join the team for the second match scheduled from November 6 to 9, while N Jagadeesan will serve as the second wicketkeeper for the first game. Among the domestic talents, fast bowlers Gurnoor Brar and Khaleel Ahmed are expected to attract attention with their performances.
South Africa A will be led by batsman Marques Ackerman, with senior team captain Temba Bavuma also making a return after recovering from a calf injury. The visiting team will play three one-day matches against India A in Rajkot from November 13 to 19, following the red-ball series.
After the A-series, the senior Indian and South African teams will face each other in a two-Test series, followed by three ODIs and five T20 Internationals, marking a packed schedule for both sides ahead of the new cricket season.
