Rishabh Pant Leads India A in Unofficial Test Against South Africa A

October 30, 2025 By usmanthotti Sports 2 min read

Rishabh Pant Leads India A in Unofficial Test Against South Africa A

India A is set to face South Africa A in the first of two unofficial Test matches, commencing today, October 30, 2025, at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. This series marks the return of wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant to competitive cricket after a three-month hiatus due to a foot injury sustained during the fourth Test against England in July.

Pant’s Comeback and Leadership

Rishabh Pant, who fractured his right foot in July, has been named captain of the India A squad. His return is highly anticipated, as he aims to regain form ahead of the senior team’s upcoming Test series against South Africa. Pant’s leadership will be crucial in guiding a squad that includes promising talents such as vice-captain Sai Sudharsan, Devdutt Padikkal, and Narayan Jagadeesan.

Squad Composition and Key Players

The India A squad for the first four-day match comprises:

  • Rishabh Pant (C) (WK)
  • Sai Sudharsan (VC)
  • Devdutt Padikkal
  • Rajat Patidar
  • Ayush Mhatre
  • N Jagadeesan (WK)
  • Harsh Dubey
  • Tanush Kotian
  • Manav Suthar
  • Anshul Kamboj
  • Yash Thakur
  • Ayush Badoni
  • Saransh Jain

This lineup blends experienced players with emerging talents, providing a platform for individuals to showcase their skills in red-ball cricket.

South Africa A’s Tour and Objectives

South Africa A’s tour of India includes two first-class matches and three List A games, serving as preparation for the senior team’s forthcoming Test series against India. The South African squad is led by Marques Ackerman and features players like Ottneil Baartman and Bjorn Fortuin. The tour offers these players an opportunity to adapt to subcontinental conditions and stake a claim for selection in the national team.

Match Schedule

The schedule for the unofficial Test matches is as follows:

  • First Match: October 30 – November 2, 2025, at BCCI COE, Bengaluru
  • Second Match: November 6 – November 9, 2025, at BCCI COE, Bengaluru

Both matches are scheduled to begin at 9:30 AM IST.

Significance of the Series

This series is pivotal for players on both sides to gain valuable experience and make a case for inclusion in their respective national teams. For India A, it’s an opportunity to assess the readiness of players like Pant and Sudharsan for higher honors. For South Africa A, acclimatizing to Indian conditions will be essential ahead of the senior team’s Test series.

Cricket enthusiasts eagerly await the performances in this series, anticipating competitive cricket and the emergence of future stars.