Pant fails on comeback; Patidar throws away opportunity as IND-A struggle vs SA-A

Rishabh Pant and Rajat Patidar (Source:@rishabh18v/X.com)

Rishabh Pant is back to competitive cricket after a long time, but the comeback with the bat has not turned out to be fruitful, with the batter managing just 17 in the first innings against South Africa. The star wicketkeeper batter is leading India A

Rishabh Pant is leading India in his return to competitive cricket, and after wicketkeeping for 91 overs, the batter has failed in his first outing with the bat. He could manage just 17 runs and could not make the most of the opportunity against impressive South Africa A bowlers.

Pant, Patidar disappoint after fifty from Ayush Mhatre

South Africa A scored 309 while batting first, and in reply, India A started well with a 90-run stand. Ayush Mhatre scored fifty, but wickets kept crumbling at regular intervals and India A were reduced to 159 for five. Rishabh Pant walked out to bat at number five and hit two boundaries. However, after hitting his second boundary, he edged one to the slip and the innings was cut short quite prematurely.

Rajat Patidar, another star batter, who has been in great form in recent times, also departed early. He could score only 19 runs, and after Rishabh Pant, the onus was on him to bat long. However, Prenelan Subrayen managed to outfox him and cleaned him up with a beauty to bag his third wicket. Earlier, Sai Sudharsan got the start but could not convert it and departed for 32 while Devdutt Padikkal lost his wicket at a score of six.

Thus, South Africa A bowlers have adjusted quite well to Indian conditions and India A are under pressure in the first unofficial Test. With the ball, Tanush Kotian was impressive and bagged a four-wicket haul while the likes of Jordan Hermann, Zubayr Hamza and Rubin Hermann scored fifties for the Proteas.

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