Rishabh Pant set to return in Indian squad for two-match Test series against South Africa: Reports

In a recent development from Indian cricket, wicket-keeper batter Rishabh Pant is reportedly set to make his return to the national team for the upcoming two-match Test series against South Africa, starting on November 14 in Kolkata. The 28-year-old, who got sidelined from cricket after suffering a right foot injury in July during England tour, took part in India A’s three-wicket win over South Africa A in the first unofficial Test of the two-match series in Bengaluru.

Notably, Rishabh Pant was the captain of the India A side in the four-day first-class match in which he scored 17 off 20 in the first innings before playing a key role in the successful pursuit of the 275-run target in the second innings. The left-handed batter looked like his

old self, scoring 90 off 113 with 11 fours and four sixes at the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Centre of Excellence Ground 1 before Manav Suthar and Anshul Kamboj took the team over the finish line against South Africa A.

Rishabh Pant showcased good form in India A's recent win in unofficial Test against South Africa A

In the report published in ESPNcricinfo, only one change is expected in the Indian squad for the two-match Test series against South Africa in comparison to the previous two-match Test series last month versus West Indies at home, which they won 2-0. Rishabh Pant is all but surely going to replace fellow wicket-keeper batter Narayan Jagadeesan in the squad before making his way into the playing XI.

Kuldeep Yadav, who was a part of the Indian T20I squad on the tour to Australia, was released to play the second unofficial Test of the two-match series against South Africa A in Bengaluru. Moreover, the likes of Indian Test captain Shubman Gill, Jasprit Bumrah, Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, and others, who are currently in Australia to compete in the five-match T20I series, level at 1-1 after three games, will join the squad after November 8 if selected.

A win in the home Test series over reigning and defending World Test Championship (WTC) winners South Africa later this month could go a long way in helping India make the final of the 2025-27 cycle in just under two years time.