Team India wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant will lead the India ‘A’ squad in two four-day matches against the South Africa ‘A’ side ahead of the Test series between the two teams.
Notably, middle-order batter Sarfaraz Khan has been left out of the squad despite being in contention for the upcoming home series.
The two-match red-ball series will begin on October 30, with the second four-day match taking place from November 6 to 9. Notably, both matches will be held at the BCCI Center of Excellence in Bengaluru. Sai Sudharsan, Devdutt Padikkal, Dhruv Jurel, Mohammed Siraj, and others are included in the squad.
India Use A-Team Series as Preparation Ahead of Major Test Assignments
India have a habit of playing A-team series as a preparatory step before major Test series. Notably, India A had faced Australia A in a red-ball series in Lucknow ahead of their series against the West Indies. Test stars like KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Nitish Reddy, and Devdutt Padikkal played in the second game.
Head coach Gautam Gambhir recently emphasized the importance of participating in competitive matches, whether in domestic cricket or A-series games, to build form and match rhythm, rather than relying solely on net sessions.
The upcoming two-match series will be closely watched, especially for the performance of Test specialists. Rishabh Pant will aim to get match-ready and secure his spot in the senior Test squad through these games.
Sarfaraz Khan Left Out Of India A Squad For Upcoming Series
Sarfaraz Khan has been left out of the India A squad for the upcoming two-match series against South Africa A at home. The right-handed middle-order batter last played for India A earlier this year against England Lions, scoring 92 in the first unofficial Test in Canterbury.
Sarfaraz made his Test debut for India in February 2024 against England under Rohit Sharma. The right-handed batter scored 62 runs before being run out. He has scored 371 runs in 11 innings at an average of 37.10, including one century and three fifties.
In domestic cricket, the 27-year-old has scored 4,759 runs in 55 first-class matches at an average of 65.98, including 16 centuries and 15 fifties, with a highest score of 301 not out. He will be eager to make a comeback in India’s upcoming two-match Test series against South Africa at home.
Fans React as Sarfaraz Khan Excluded from India A Squad