Wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant on Tuesday was appointed as captain of the India A team for the red-ball series against South Africa A. He has now fully recovered from his foot injury, which he sustained during the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy against England.
Pant had received a blow on his foot while batting in the fourth Test match against the “Three Lions” at Manchester in July. Following his injury, the left-hander missed out on India`s Asia Cup 2025 campaign and the two-match Test series against the West Indies.
In the Asia Cup 2025, Sanju Samson donned the `Big Gloves` for the “Men in Blue” in Pant`s absence. Later, Dhruv Jurel took the wicket-keeping role during the Test series against the West Indies.
He will feature in both India A matches, which are scheduled to be played in Bengaluru from October 30, ahead of the home Test series against South Africa. The Test series will begin on November 14.
Currently, the Indian team is busy engaging in the white-ball series against Australia. In the ODI series, KL Rahul is carrying the wicket-keeping duties. Team India, under the captaincy of Shubman Gill, is currently trailing by 0-1 in the three-match ODI series against the Aussies. The 50-over contest also marked the return of Team India stalwarts Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli to international cricket. The duo have made their appearances for the first time in the Indian colours since the Champions Trophy 2025 triumph.
Some other prominent names that will feature during the course of the two four-day games include Sai Sudharsan, who has been named vice-captain, Devdutt Padikkal, wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel and pacer Mohammed Siraj, among others.
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.
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.
(With PTI Inputs)