Pant to lead India ‘A’ in comeback series against South Africa ‘A’

Mumbai, 21 October 2025:

Rishabh Pant will return to competitive cricket later this month, captaining India A in two four-day matches against South Africa A in Bengaluru beginning Oct. 30.

Pant received clearance to play from the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence after completing two stages of rehabilitation for the fractured foot he sustained during the fourth England-India Test in Manchester in July. His inclusion in the India A squad rules him out of Delhi’s second-round Ranji Trophy match, which starts Oct. 25.

Pant and vice-captain B. Sai Sudharsan are set to feature in both matches, while KL Rahul, Dhruv Jurel, Prasidh Krishna and Mohammed Siraj will join for the second fixture, scheduled from Nov. 6. All four are expected to be part of India’s Test squad for the South Africa series, starting Nov. 14 in Kolkata.

The Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee has sought to maintain balance between India A and state teams competing in the ongoing Ranji Trophy season. As a result, players such as Rajat Patidar, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Abhimanyu Easwaran and Akash Deep have been named for only one of the two matches. Meanwhile, N. Jagadeesan, Manav Suthar, Saransh Jain and Harsh Dubey earned selections on the back of strong domestic performances.

If selectors are satisfied with Pant’s form and fitness during the series, he is likely to make his Test comeback against South Africa next month.

India A squad for first four-day match

Rishabh Pant (captain, wk), Ayush Mhatre, N. Jagadeesan (wk), Sai Sudharsan (vice-captain), Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar, Harsh Dubey, Tanush Kotian, Manav Suthar, Anshul Kamboj, Yash Thakur, Ayush Badoni, Saransh Jain, Gurnoor Brar, Khaleel Ahmed.

India A squad for second four-day match

Rishabh Pant (captain, wk), KL Rahul, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Sai Sudharsan (vice-captain), Devdutt Padikkal, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Harsh Dubey, Tanush Kotian, Manav Suthar, Khaleel Ahmed, Gurnoor Brar, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Prasidh Krishna, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep.