Star Wicketkeeper-batter and India A skipper Rishabh Pant’s comeback faced a brief setback on Day 3 of the second unofficial Test against South Africa A in Bengaluru, as he retired hurt after taking multiple
blows while batting. The India A captain, who has been leading the team in his return to competitive cricket, took three hits, one on the helmet, another on his left elbow, and the last on his abdomen before walking off the field in discomfort.
Pant’s participation in the India A series made his first extended run in red-ball cricket after recovering from a foot fracture sustained during the fourth Test against England in July. Having missed the subsequent West Indies Tests, Pant returned to action with a 90-run knock in the first unofficial Test, guiding India A to victory at the BCCI Centre of Excellence. His leadership and batting form convinced the selectors of his readiness, earning him the vice-captaincy for India’s upcoming two-Test series against South Africa, starting November 14 in Kolkata.
In India’s second innings on Day 3, Pant looked in excellent touch before his unfortunate injury. He displayed his trademark flair, flicking one delivery for six and pulling another for four, racing to 17 off 22 balls. However, a series of blows forced him to retire hurt at 108/4. The southpaw continued to bat despite visible pain, but the final hit near the elbow led him to get medical attention and eventually retire.
At the time of his exit, India A were building on their lead, which had gone up to 150 runs, with Kuldeep Yadav and Harsh Dubey at the crease.
Watch the video below:
Rishabh Pant retried out after getting hit thrice 💔 pic.twitter.com/Sv6wNfREUo
— Ankur (@cricwithpant2) November 8, 2025
Earlier in the contest, India A posted 255 in their first innings, thanks to a sublime 132* from Dhruv Jurel. Pant chipped in with a 24 off 20 balls, hitting three fours and a six. In reply, South Africa A were bowled out for 221, with captain Marques Ackerman producing 134 off 118 balls. Prasidh Krishna (3/35), Mohammed Siraj (2/61), and Akash Deep (2/28) shared the wickets for India A, giving the hosts a slim first-innings lead.
India A’s second innings began on a poor note, losing Abhimanyu Easwaran for a duck and Sai Sudharsan early. KL Rahul (27) and Devdutt Padikkal (24) tried to stabilize things before both fell to South Africa’s pacer Okuhle Cele.
