Rishabh Pant officially named India’s red-ball captain for South Africa series

The Board of Control for Cricket in India has named the India 'A' squad for the upcoming two-match red-ball series against South Africa 'A' at home. Team India wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant, who has been out of action since the England tour, will lead the team in the two matches ahead of the main series.

India ‘A’ will host South Africa ‘A’ in a red-ball and white-ball series starting later this month. The upcoming tour will kick off with two four-day unofficial Tests at the BCCI Center of Excellence in Bengaluru. Following the four-day matches, the two teams will move to Rajkot for a three-match one-day series.

BCCI Announces India A Squads for South Africa Series; Rishabh Pant Named Captain

Rishabh Pant is set to return to competitive cricket as captain of the India A squad for the upcoming unofficial Test series against South Africa A. The wicketkeeper-batter has been out of action since sustaining a foot injury during the fourth Test against England.

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As per the schedule, the two-match red-ball series will begin on October 30, with the second game scheduled from November 6 to 9.

"The Senior Men’s Selection Committee has picked India A’s squad for the two four-day matches to be played against South Africa at the BCCI Centre of Excellence, Bengaluru," the Board of Control for Cricket in India stated in a statement.

Experienced Test Stars Return for Second Encounter; Mohammed Shami, Sarfaraz Khan Snubbed

Rishabh Pant had suffered a foot injury while batting in the fourth Test against England during the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025. The left-handed batter missed both the Asia Cup and the recent two-Test home series against the West Indies.

18-year-old opener Ayush Mhatre, Ayush Badoni, Rajat Patidar, and all-rounder Saransh Jain, who earned his call-up after an impressive Ranji Trophy performance, are included for the first match.

Sai Sudharsan will serve as vice-captain, while Devdutt Padikkal, Dhruv Jurel, and Mohammed Siraj are among the key names in the squad.

Several star players, including KL Rahul, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Dhruv Jurel, and Siraj, will return for the second match. Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, and Khaleel Ahmed will lead the pace attack.

Meanwhile, Sarfaraz Khan has been left out despite strong domestic performances and proven fitness, while veteran Mohammed Shami was also overlooked despite recent success in the Ranji Trophy.

India A squads for South Africa A series at Home

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.

Also read: BCCI selector orders KL Rahul to take Shreyas Iyer’s spot in India ODI XI