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Rishabh Pant returns as India A captain for the South Africa A series after injury, looking fitter and motivating teammates.
Rishabh Pant with Sai Sudharsan (PTI)
Wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant appears “fitter” and is eager to participate in the two-match four-day series against South Africa A, according to India A vice-captain Sai Sudharsan on Wednesday.
Pant, who will captain India A, is making his return after a three-month absence due to a foot injury sustained in July in England. The 28-year-old now aims to rejoin the national team during the two-match Test series against the Proteas.
“Rishabh looks fantastic, actually, may be fitter I would say. He had some time to build, put that training in his legs because sometimes when you get injured you have that specific time to work on whatever you want. I feel he looks a bit more fit and strong and as courageous as always he is,” said Sudharsan after India A’s training session.
The Tamil Nadu batter mentioned that Pant was his usual energetic self during the training session at the BCCI CoE and encouraged the team to use the matches to regain their red-ball rhythm.
“The message from Pant is very clear. We were in a huddle on the first day of training and he was saying that this is a great opportunity for everybody to again get the rhythm of the game. At the same time, we are also playing to win and that is the main thing,” he noted.
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Sudharsan will participate in two India A matches against South Africa A before the two-match home series against the Rainbow Nation later this month.
Sudharsan mentioned that his current focus is on the game against South Africa A. He views the two-match series as an excellent platform ahead of the matches against the senior Proteas side.
“India A matches are very important and we are lucky enough to have it just before the main series so that we take this as a big opportunity and build up really well and understand the conditions and obviously, plan accordingly for the series,” he added.
(With inputs from Agencies)
Ritayan Basu, Senior Sub-Editor, Sports at News18.com. Has been covering domestic and and international football for nearly a decade. Has played and covered badminton. Ocassionally writes cricket content, havin…Read More
Ritayan Basu, Senior Sub-Editor, Sports at News18.com. Has been covering domestic and and international football for nearly a decade. Has played and covered badminton. Ocassionally writes cricket content, havin… Read More
October 29, 2025, 16:17 IST
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