Rishabh Pant Returns as Captain for India A Matches

Published: 21 October 2025

Rishabh Pant's Anticipated Comeback

Rishabh Pant is set to make his long-awaited return to cricket, leading India A in two crucial four-day matches against South Africa A. This comeback marks a significant moment for the talented wicketkeeper-batter, who has been sidelined since suffering a foot fracture earlier this year.

Details of the Upcoming Matches

The matches will take place at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Mumbai, with the first match commencing on October 30, followed by the second on November 6. Sai Sudharsan will serve as vice-captain, joining a squad enriched with several regulars from the Test team.

Squad Breakdown

The India A squad for the first match features notable players:

PlayerRole
Rishabh PantCaptain (Wicketkeeper)
Ayush MhatreBatsman
N JagdeesanWicketkeeper
Sai SudharsanVice-Captain
Devdutt PadikkalBatsman
Rajat PatidarBatsman
Harsh DubeyBowler
Tanush KotianBowler
Manav SutharBatsman
Anshul KambojBatsman
Yash ThakurBowler
Ayush BadoniBatsman
Saransh JainBatsman

This match serves as preparation leading into a much-anticipated Test series against South Africa, starting November 14 in Kolkata. Notably, the squad for the second match will include players like KL Rahul and Mohammed Siraj.

What This Means for Indian Cricket

Fans are eager to see Pant's performance, as he plays a pivotal role in shaping India's future in Test cricket. His leadership and experience will be fundamental as India looks to solidify their strategies ahead of the series.