Udaipur, Oct 22, 2025: Rishabh Pant, who has been out since the England tour, is now fit and ready to return to action. The senior selection committee, led by former Indian fast bowler Ajit Agarkar, has announced the India A squad for the series against South Africa A, with Pant as captain.

The two four-day matches will be played at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (COE) in Bengaluru. The first match starts on October 30, and the second match begins on November 6.

Sai Sudarshan Appointed Vice-Captain

Tamil Nadu’s Sai Sudarshan will be the vice-captain for both matches. Maharashtra batsman Ruturaj Gaikwad has been included in the squad for the second match. Fast bowlers Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, and Akash Deep are also part of the squad for the second match. Star batsman KL Rahul will get practice before the Test series against South Africa, as he has been included in the squad for the second match.

Rishabh Pant Set to Return to Team India

Rishabh Pant, who missed the Asia Cup 2025 and the home Test series against the West Indies (which India won 2-0), is now almost certain to play in the upcoming Test series against South Africa. The two-Test series will start on November 14, followed by three ODIs and five T20Is.

India A Squad for the First Four-Day Match:

Rishabh Pant (captain & wicketkeeper), Ayush Mhatre, N Jagadeesan (wicketkeeper), Sai Sudarshan (vice-captain), Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar, Harsh Dubey, Tanush Kotian, Manav Suthar, Anshul Kamboj, Yash Thakur, Ayush Badoni, Saransh Jain.

India A Squad for the Second Four-Day Match:

Rishabh Pant (captain & wicketkeeper), KL Rahul, Dhruv Jurel (wicketkeeper), Sai Sudarshan (vice-captain), Devdutt Padikkal, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Harsh Dubey, Tanush Kotian, Manav Suthar, Khaleel Ahmed, Gurnur Brar, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Prasidh Krishna, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep.