Rishabh Pant is set to make his much-anticipated return to competitive cricket after a prolonged injury break, as the BCCI Selection Committee has appointed him captain of the India A squad for the upcoming two four-day matches against South Africa A.
The fixtures are scheduled to take place from October 30 to November 9 at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.
Pant had suffered a fractured metatarsal in his right foot during the fourth Test against England in Manchester in late July, after inside-edging a reverse sweep off Chris Woakes. The injury forced him to retire hurt on 37, and subsequent scans confirmed the fracture.
The setback ruled Pant out of several key assignments, including the Asia Cup, the two-Test series against the West Indies earlier this month, and the ongoing white-ball series against Australia.
Initially expected to return to action for Delhi in the 2025–26 Ranji Trophy, Pant was instead completing his rehabilitation at the BCCI Centre of Excellence, where he had recently resumed batting practice. His omission from the Ayush Badoni-led Delhi squad further indicated that he was nearing full fitness but not yet ready for domestic competition.
Pant, who serves as India’s vice-captain in Tests, had a stellar outing during the previous tour of England, scoring 479 runs in seven innings at an impressive average of 68.42, including two centuries—one of which came in the series opener at Headingley, Leeds.
India A squad for the 1st four-day match:
Rishabh Pant (C) (WK), Ayush Mhatre, N Jagdeesan (WK), Sai Sudharsan (VC), Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar, 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 (C) (WK), KL Rahul, Dhruv Jurel (WK), Sai Sudharsan (VC), Devdutt Padikkal, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Harsh Dubey, Tanush Kotian, Manav Suthar, Khaleel Ahmed, Gurnoor Brar, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Prasidh Krishna, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep.
