A fit-again Rishabh Pant is set for his comeback, having been named captain of the India A squad for the two four-day matches against South Africa A, to be played at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.
These two matches will be crucial for the Indian Test team vice-captain to prove his fitness ahead of the two-Test series against South Africa, starting on November 14 in Kolkata. Pant has been on the sidelines since suffering a toe injury during the England tour. In recent weeks, there have been several reports suggesting that Pant might play for Delhi in the second round of the ongoing Ranji Trophy, which starts on October 25. However, that now appears unlikely.
Sai Sudharsan has been named Pant’s deputy. Apart from Sudharsan, only Devdutt Padikkal and N Jagadeesan have been named in the first match squad from the current Test team. Rajat Patidar, Ayush Badoni, Ayush Mhatre and Saransh Jain have also been selected for the first four-day game. Anshul Kamboj and Yash Thakur are the only pace bowling options picked for the opening match.
For the second game, KL Rahul, Dhruv Jurel, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Khaleel Ahmed, Gurnoor Brar, Prasidh Krishna, Mohammed Siraj and Akash Deep will join the squad.
Spin-bowling all-rounders Harsh Dubey, Tanush Kotian and Manav Suthar have been named in both squads.
Notably, Sarfaraz Khan has been overlooked by the selectors despite being fit and available.
The first four-day match will be played from October 30 to November 2, followed by the second game from 6 to 9 November.
India A squad for the 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.
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.
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