Rishabh Pant, back to full fitness, looks to make statement for India A
Bengaluru
All eyes on Rishabh Pant as the dynamic wicketkeeper-batter returned to competitive cricket, leading India A in the first of two four-day matches against South Africa A, which began on Thursday at the BCCI Centre of Excellence near Bengaluru.
Pant has been out of action since fracturing his right foot while attempting a reverse sweep in the Manchester Test against England in late July. The injury ruled him out of the Asia Cup and the two-match home Test series against West Indies. After an extensive rehabilitation program at the Centre of Excellence, Pant now looks set to regain match fitness ahead of India’s crucial Test series against World Test Championship winners South Africa next month.
Vice-captain Sai Sudharsan praised Pant’s recovery, saying, “Rishabh looks fantastic, maybe even fitter. Sometimes injuries give you time to work on specific areas, and he’s come back stronger and as courageous as ever.”
Pant, expected to resume his vice-captaincy role in the senior Test squad for the Proteas series starting November 14 in Kolkata, will use these matches to find rhythm with both bat and gloves. The CoE pitch, known for aiding batters, could see Pant return to his aggressive best against a relatively inexperienced South Africa A bowling unit.
Selectors will closely watch Pant’s wicketkeeping fitness, while Sudharsan, Devdutt Padikkal, and Rajat Patidar will also seek to impress. For Padikkal, in particular, a strong performance could boost his chances for a senior cap.
With the focus squarely on Pant’s comeback and leadership, India A’s clash promises to set the tone for the upcoming international season.