Rishabh Pant Looks Fitter, Ready For India A Return Against South Africa A: Sai Sudharsan

Sai Sudharsan said Rishabh Pant appeared fitter and more energetic ahead of his return as India A captain against South Africa A.

Wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant appears “fitter” and is eager to feature in the two-match four-day series against South Africa A, according to India A vice-captain Sai Sudharsan on Wednesday.

Pant, who will lead India A, is set to make his comeback after a three-month injury layoff. The 28-year-old suffered a foot injury in July during the England tour and now aims to make a full return ahead of India’s two-match Test series against South Africa.

Sai Sudharsan praised Pant’s fitness and attitude during training, highlighting the hard work the wicketkeeper has put in during his rehabilitation period.

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Pant’s Fitness And Energy Impress Sudharsan

“Rishabh looks fantastic, actually, may be fitter I would say. He had some time to build, put that training in his legs because sometimes when you get injured you have that specific time to work on whatever you want. I feel he looks a bit more fit and strong and as courageous as always he is,” said Sudharsan after India A’s training session.

The Tamil Nadu batter noted that Pant was his usual energetic self during training at the BCCI Centre of Excellence and encouraged his teammates to use the upcoming series to regain their red-ball form.

“The message from Pant is very clear. We were in a huddle on the first day of training and he was saying that this is a great opportunity for everybody to again get the rhythm of the game. At the same time, we are also playing to win and that is the main thing,” Sudharsan added.

The left-hander will take part in two India A matches against South Africa A before India’s home Test series against the Proteas later this month.

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Sudharsan said his focus remains on performing well in the A series, which he considers an ideal build-up to the senior matches.

“India A matches are very important and we are lucky enough to have it just before the main series so that we take this as a big opportunity and build up really well and understand the conditions and obviously, plan accordingly for the series,” he said.