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Pant returns, CSK prodigy Mhatre in despite flops: Key takeaways from India A’s red-ball squad

Kaushik Kashyap

Rishabh Pant and Ayush Mhatre. [Source - BCCI/@Cricdomestic_/x.com]Rishabh Pant and Ayush Mhatre. [Source - BCCI/@Cricdomestic_/x.com]

India A is set to take on South Africa A in a two-match red-ball series, starting on October 30th at the Centre of Excellence, Bengaluru. This series promises competitive cricket and a chance for emerging players from domestic to showcase their skills in the longer format ahead of the marquee Test series later in November.

The squad features a mix of experienced internationals and rising talent, offering India strong bench depth. While key players return from injury and leadership shifts add spice to the chaos, a few selections, such as the inclusion of raw talent, have raised eyebrows ahead of a crucial series to build season-long momentum.

Here are the key talking points to watch in the India A squad for the upcoming red-ball series against South Africa A:

Rishabh Pant back from injury and leading India A

Rishabh Pant returns as captain for India A, leading the side in a first-class game after eight years. Before his Test debut in 2018, Pant captained Delhi in the Ranji Trophy the season before, gaining valuable red-ball leadership experience.

Now back from injury sustained earlier this year in England, Pant’s return marks a significant moment. His leadership will be closely watched as he aims to regain form ahead of the South Africa Test series and guide a talented India A squad in this important red-ball series.

Ayush Mhatre’s inclusion in India A squad defies logic

The selection of 18-year-old Ayush Mhatre in the India A squad has raised more than a few eyebrows. Coming off a disastrous U19 tour of Australia where he averaged just 8 in 6 innings and a poor Ranji Trophy outing in Srinagar last week, scoring 28 and 13, his elevation to the senior red-ball setup feels rushed and undeserved.

While Mhatre is undeniably a promising prospect and is on the verge to lead India in the upcoming U19 World Cup, this fast-track inclusion, despite being named only for the first match, seems premature. With several consistent domestic performers overlooked, his selection reflects a puzzling shift in selection priorities.

Yash Rathod ignored again, what more does a run machine need to do?

Yash Rathod’s omission from the India A squad is baffling. The Vidarbha batter was the highest run-scorer in last season’s Ranji Trophy, piling up 960 runs at an average of 53.33, including five centuries, and playing a crucial role in Vidarbha’s title-winning campaign.

While it is true that domestic performances do not always translate directly to national call-ups, Rathod followed it up with a brilliant Duleep Trophy including a 194 in the final and a gritty 91 in the Irani Cup against a Rest of India attack featuring active Test speedsters like Akash Deep and Anshul Kamboj.

With others like Ruturaj Gaikwad in the mix despite being far from the Test scene, Rathod’s continued exclusion raises tough questions. Perhaps, as always, time will tell, but this snub feels hard to justify.

Silence grows louder around Sarfaraz’s Test future

Sarfaraz Khan’s disappearance from India’s red-ball plans is becoming harder to justify. Once part of the Test squad for the Australia tour, the Mumbaikar has not featured since, missing out on the England series, despite scoring runs in India A games against the Lions, and now left out of back-to-back India A squads.

He began the domestic season brightly with a century in the Buchi Babu Trophy before a brief injury setback ruled him out of the Duleep Trophy. But with full fitness regained and 74 runs in Mumbai’s Ranji opener, it is clear fitness is not the issue.

What makes his exclusion more glaring is the inclusion of others who have delivered in the same timeframe. Ruturaj Gaikwad, for instance, struck a brilliant 184 in a Duleep Trophy fixture, while Rajat Patidar has been equally prolific, blasting centuries and double centuries for fun. It may be unfortunate, but Sarfaraz should still feel unlucky to miss out, especially when his form, fitness, and first-class record continue to tick every box.