Rishabh Pant was named captain of India A for two four-day matches against South Africa, marking his comeback after a foot injury.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Tuesday announced the squad for two four-day matches against South Africa at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.
Rishabh Pant will captain the side in both games. This will mark the wicket-keeper batter’s return to action after suffering a foot fracture during the fourth Test against England earlier this year.
The 28-year-old was subsequently ruled out of India’s ongoing two-match Test series against the West Indies at home and was not included in the white-ball squads for the ongoing tour of Australia.
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Top-order batter Sai Sudharsan will serve as Pant’s deputy for both matches against South Africa A. Indian Test team regulars KL Rahul, Dhruv Jurel, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, and Prasidh Krishna will join the India A squad only for the second match.
The first four-day game will begin on October 30, with the second scheduled for November 6. These matches will act as a precursor to the upcoming two-match Test series between India and South Africa.
Proteas’ WTC-winning captain Temba Bavuma is expected to return from injury in the second game, adding experience and leadership to the South African side.
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India A squad
For 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.
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.
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