Wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant has recovered from toe fracture and will make his competitive return later this month as captain of India A during a two-match red-ball series with South Africa A.
The senior men’s selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, picked two India A squads for the two four-day matches to be played at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. Both the squads will be led by Pant with Sai Sudharsan serving as his deputy.
Pant has been out of action since the fourth Test between India and England held in Manchester earlier this year. While batting, he ended up fracturing his toe while attempting a reverse hit which ruled him out from the fifth Test which India won to draw the series 2-2.
As he began his recovery, Pant missed
India’s triumphant Asia Cup 2025 campaign, a two-match Test series against West Indies at home and the ongoing white-ball tour of Australia.
Mumbai batter Ayush Mhatre has been given his maiden India A call-up having been named in the squad for the first match. The squad for the second match also features the likes of KL Rahul, Mohammed Siraj and Akash Deep.
The first match will be played between October 30 to November 2 while the second from November 6 to November 9.
India are slated to host South Africa for a two-match Test series in November.
India A squad for the 1st four-day match: Rishabh Pant (captain and wicketkeeper), Ayush Mhatre, N Jagdeesan (wicketkeeper), Sai Sudharsan (vice-captain), Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar, Khaleel Ahmed, Gurnoor Brar, 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 (captain and wicketkeeper), KL Rahul, Dhruv Jurel (wicketkeeper), 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.
