Rishabh Pant in Test cricket (Source: AFP)
The Board of Control for Cricket in India has announced India A squads for two four-day games against South Africa A. Rishabh Pant is back after a long injury layoff and will lead the side in both the games, and along with him, players like Devdutt Padikkal, Sai Sudharsan, Harsh Dubey, Tanush Kotian, Manav Suthar have been named in both the squads.
However, other than these players, selectors have opted for different personnel for the two matches, with many Test regulars included for the second four-day match. Sarfaraz Khan though has not been included despite proving his fitness in the Ranji Trophy match against Jammu and Kashmir.
Ayush Mhatre gets his chance for India A
For the first unofficial Test, the 18-year-old opening batter from Mumbai, Ayush Mhatre, has been included. Along with him, Ayush Badoni, who was part of the India A squad for the Australia series, has also retained his place, while Rajat Patidar has also been selected for only the first match.
N Jagadeesan is the second wicketkeeper in the side, while Anshul Kamboj and Yash Thakur would look after the pace department. Madhya Pradesh's experienced all-rounder Saransh Jain has also been drafted in for the first match after his six-fer against Punjab in the opening match of Ranji Trophy 2025-26.
Experienced Test stars return for second encounter
The second game will see the return of Test stars like KL Rahul, Dhruv Jurel and Mohammed Siraj. Ruturaj Gaikwad, who was absent from India A squads in recent times, has also been given a chance after his impressive show against Kerala in the Ranji encounter. The second game will see the return of Test stars like KL Rahul, Dhruv Jurel and Mohammed Siraj. Ruturaj Gaikwad, who was absent from India A squads in recent times, has also been given a chance after his impressive show against Kerala in the Ranji encounter.
Along with Siraj, the pace department includes experienced bowlers like Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep and Khaleel Ahmed for the second match However, Mohammed Shami has been ignored again despite picking seven wickets for Bengal in the Ranji fixture. The first game will start on October 30 while the second match will begin on November 6 and both the encounters will be played in BCCI Centre of Excellence, Bengaluru.
India A squads for South Africa A series
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.
