Delhi, 21 October (H.S.): Indian wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant is poised to make his return to competitive cricket after being named captain of the India ‘A’ squad for a two-match, four-day series against South Africa ‘A’. The BCCI announced on Tuesday that the series will take place from October 30 to November 9 in Bengaluru.
Pant has been sidelined since July after sustaining a leg fracture during the Test match against England in Manchester. His successful recovery and upcoming participation in this series are seen as a crucial step toward his reintegration into the senior national team for the forthcoming Test series against South Africa, which begins on November 14.
Sai Sudharsan has been appointed vice-captain for both matches.The selection committee has announced two distinct squads for the series. The first match, scheduled from October 30 to November 2, will feature a host of domestic cricket performers as it coincides with the senior team’s tour of Australia.
The squad includes a maiden call-up for 18-year-old Ayush Mhatre, alongside established names like Rajat Patidar and Ayush Badoni.
First Match Squad (Oct 30 – Nov 2)
Rishabh Pant (Captain/Wicketkeeper)
Sai Sudharsan (Vice-captain)
Ayush Mhatre
N. Jagadeesan (Wicketkeeper)
Devdutt Padikkal
Rajat Patidar
Harsh Dubey
Tanush Kotian
Manav Suthar
Anshul Kamboj
Yash ThakurAyush BadoniSaransh Jain
Second Match Squad (Nov 6 – Nov 9)
For the second match, the squad will be reinforced with several senior Test players. KL Rahul, Dhruv Jurel, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Prasidh Krishna, and Mohammed Siraj are set to join the team. This move signals an intention to give key players match practice ahead of the home series against South Africa.
The squad for the second fixture also includes Akash Deep, Khaleel Ahmed, and Gurnoor Brar.Rishabh Pant (Captain/Wicketkeeper)Sai Sudharsan (Vice-captain)KL RahulDhruv Jurel (Wicketkeeper)Devdutt PadikkalRuturaj GaikwadHarsh DubeyTanush KotianManav SutharKhaleel AhmedGurnoor BrarAbhimanyu EaswaranPrasidh KrishnaMohammed SirajAkash Deep
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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
