IND A vs SA A: Pant will return to the field in the match against South Africa A
This two-match unofficial Test series between India A and South Africa is crucial. The two-match Test series between the two countries’ senior teams begins on November 14th, and India will want to test their preparations before then.
Veteran Indian wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant will return to the field on Thursday in a match against South Africa A. Pant will lead the India A team, marking his return from a three-month break. Pant sustained an injury during the fourth Test against England and has been out of action since then.
The match will be held at the BCCI’s COE Ground –
This two-match unofficial Test series between India A and South Africa A is crucial. The two teams are scheduled to play a two-match Test series starting November 14th, and India will be testing its preparations before that. These two unofficial Tests will be held at the BCCI’s COE Ground in Bengaluru. Pant will use this to assess his match readiness and could replace Dhruv Jurel in the senior team against South Africa.
Pant will want to improve his wicketkeeping skills –
With the exception of off-spinner Prenelan Subrayan, South Africa A’s less experienced bowling unit will not pose much of a challenge to Pant upon his return. The pitch here is also conducive to batting. In addition to improving his batting, Pant will be eager to improve his wicketkeeping skills, as he will be responsible for keeping behind the stumps against top-class bowlers like Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav in the Test series. In this regard, he will get a good chance to practice against spinners like Saransh Jain, Manav Suthar, and Harsh Dubey.
Sai Sudarshan eager for a big innings –
Sai Sudarshan last played in the second Test against the West Indies in Delhi earlier this month, and these two matches will give him a chance to improve his game before the Test series against South Africa. The Tamil Nadu batsman has currently cemented his place at number three, but he hasn’t been able to convert good starts into big scores. He will be eager to play a big innings here.
India A vs South Africa A Team Squads:
India A: Rishabh Pant (captain, wicketkeeper), Ayush Mhatre, N Jagadeesan (wicketkeeper), Sai Sudarshan (vice-captain), Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar, Harsh Dubey, Tanush Kotian, Manav Suthar, Khaleel Ahmed, Gurnur Brar, Anshul Kamboj, Yash Thakur, Ayush Badoni, Saransh Jain.
South Africa A: Marques Ackermann, Temba Bavuma (only for the second four days of the match), Okuhle Cele, Zubair Hamza, Jordan Harman, Rubin Harman, Rivaldo Moonsamy, Tshepo Moreki, Mihlali Mpongwana, Lesego Senokwane, Prenellan Subrayen, Kyle Simmonds, Tshepo Ndwandwa, Jason Smith, Tiaan van Vuuren, Cody Youssef.
