India’s wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant is returning to action after recovering from his toe fracture. The BCCI has named him captain of the India A squad for two upcoming four-day games against South Africa A at the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.

Pant has been sidelined since suffering a fractured left foot during India’s Test against England at Old Trafford in July. He was ruled out of the recent two-Test series against the West Indies.

He was the injured when a delivery from England pacer Chris Woakes struck his foot. He showed great resilience by returning to the crease the following day and scoring a gritty 54 runs off 75.

Sai Sudharsan is Pant’s deputy. Additionally, Mumbai’s promising U-19 batter Ayush Mhatre has been added to the team.

KL Rahul, Prasidh Krishna, and Mohammed Siraj are set to join the team for the second match after returning from the Australian tour. The first game begins on 30 October, with the second scheduled for 6 November.

Schedule for India A vs South Africa A Four-Day Matches

INDIA A SQUAD VS SOUTH AFRICA A

India A squad for the 1st four-day match: Rishabh Pant (C) (WK), Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar, Harsh Dubey, Ayush Mhatre, N Jagdeesan (WK), Sai Sudharsan (VC), Tanush Kotian, Ayush Badoni, Saransh Jain Manav Suthar, Anshul Kamboj, Yash Thakur

India A squad for the 2nd four-day match: Sai Sudharsan (VC), Devdutt Padikkal, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Harsh Dubey, Rishabh Pant (C) (WK), KL Rahul, Dhruv Jurel (WK), Gurnoor Brar, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Prasidh Krishna, Mohammed Siraj, Tanush Kotian, Manav Suthar, Khaleel Ahmed, Akash Deep.