New Delhi: Fit-again Rishabh Pant on Tuesday was named as the captain of the national A side for a red-ball series against South Africa A. Pant, who was under rehabilitation for a foot fracture sustained during the tour of England earlier in the year, has recovered fully from it.
The Indian selectors named him in the Indian A squad for both the matches to be held in Bengaluru from October 30, ahead of the home Test series against South Africa which begins on November 14. Apart from Pant, who happens to be the biggest headline of the squad, there are some other prominent names who are set to feature in the games.
Pant’s return to the cricket field is a positive news for Indian cricket as the flamboyant batter and wicketkeeper will soon be seen in the national colours as well. The southpaw was brilliant with the bat in the England Test series but unfortunately, his journey was cut short by the fracture he susutained.
Sudharsan, Padikkal, Siraj to take part
The course of the two four-day games will feature players like Sai Sudharsan, who has been named the vice-captain, Devdutt Padikkal, wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel and fast bowler Mohammed Siraj among others. While Sudharsan and Siraj have donned the national jersey recently, being part of the West Indies Test series and Siraj included in the ongoing Australia ODIs as well, it will be a good opportunity for Jurel and Padikkal in the games.
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