Star Wicketkeeper-batter and India A skipper Rishabh Pant's comeback faced a brief setback on Day 3 of the second unofficial Test against South Africa A in Bengaluru, as he retired hurt after taking multiple blows while batting. The India A captain, who has been leading the team in his return to competitive cricket, took three hits, one on the helmet, another on his left elbow, and the last on his abdomen before walking off the field in discomfort.
Pant's participation in the India A series made his first extended run in red-ball cricket after recovering from a foot fracture sustained during the fourth Test against England in July. Having missed the subsequent West Indies Tests, Pant returned to action with a 90-run knock in the first unofficial Test, guiding India A to victory at the BCCI Centre of Excellence. His leadership and batting form convinced the selectors of his readiness, earning him the vice-captaincy for India's upcoming two-Test series against South Africa, starting November 14 in Kolkata.
In India's second innings on Day 3, Pant looked in excellent touch before his unfortunate injury. He displayed his trademark flair, flicking one delivery for six and pulling another for four, racing to 17 off 22 balls. However, a series of blows forced him to retire hurt at 108/4. The southpaw continued to bat despite visible pain, but the final hit near the elbow led him to get medical attention and eventually retire.At the time of his exit, India A were building on their lead, which had gone up to 150 runs, with Kuldeep Yadav and Harsh Dubey at the crease.