The Senior Men's Selection Committee has picked India A's squad for the two four-day matches to be played against South Africa at the BCCI Centre of Excellence, Bengaluru. The biggest development out of the squad announcement is the return of star wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant's return to cricket after a three-month break.
Pant, who had dealt a toe fracture during the fourth Test of the Anderson Tendulkar Trophy earlier this year, will mark a return to professional cricket after undergoing a rehabilitation at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. The Haridwar-born had missed the two games against the West Indies, owing to his injury, and wasn't a part of Delhi's opening game against Hyderabad in the Ranji Trophy 2025-26.
The India A squad also welcomes Ayush Badoni and Ayush Mhatre for the first time, whereas, all-rounder Saransh Jain has also been awarded with a place for his recent Duleep Trophy heroics for Central Zone. Apart from Saransh, Harsh Dubey, Tanush Kotian, and Manav Suthar are the other spin-bowling all-rounder options in the 13-man squad for the first match.