Pant Leads India A as Captain Ahead of Crucial SA Test Series

Rishabh Pant is set to captain India A in their two upcoming four-day games against South Africa A from October 30 to November 9. This marks his return to competitive cricket following recovery from a toe fracture sustained during the Manchester Test against England in July earlier this year. Pant aims to regain his position in India’s senior Test team after missing the final Test in England and two home matches against West Indies due to his injury. The Board of Control for Cricket in India has revealed two separate squads for the matches, with Sai Sudharsan acting as vice-captain.

As the four-day matches coincide with the ongoing limited-overs tour of Australia, the squad for the first match mainly comprises players from the Ranji Trophy. The 18-year-old Ayush Mhatre has been called up to the squad along with Rajat Patidar, while Ayush Badoni retains his place in the India A squad. Joining them are Test hopefuls Devdutt Padikkal, Sudharsan, and N Jagadeesan. The squad also includes all-rounders Harsh Dubey, Tanush Kotian, and Manav Suthar, with Yash Thakur, Anshul Kamboj, and Saransh Jain forming part of the bowling attack.

The quartet of Dubey, Kotian, Thakur, and Suthar all participated in the two four-day games against Australia A last month.

India A squad for the 1st four-day match: Rishabh Pant (C) (WK), Ayush Mhatre, N Jagdeesan (WK), Sai Sudharsan (VC), Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar, Harsh Dubey, Tanush Kotian, Manav Suthar, Anshul Kamboj, Yash Thakur, Ayush Badoni, Saransh Jain.

The squad for the second match includes more regular Test players with Krishnamachari Laxman, Dhruv Jurel, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Prasidh Krishna, and Mohammed Siraj joining the team. Akash Deep is also included following his performance in Bengal’s opening victory in the Ranji Trophy against Uttarakhand. Fast bowlers Khaleel Ahmed and Gurnoor Brar are the other two additions to the squad.

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.

Mhatre, Patidar, Kamboj, Thakur, Badoni, and Saransh are excluded from the second game.

The matches will be held at the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru, with the South Africa tour starting November 14 in Kolkata.

India A vs South Africa A series schedule:

1st Four-day match – October 30 to November 2 – Centre of Excellence, Bengaluru

2nd Four-day match – November 6 to November 9 – Centre of Excellence, Bengaluru