Team India A will take on South Africa A in the first four-day unofficial Test starting Thursday at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence ground in Bengaluru.
The big focus will be on Rishabh Pant, who returns to competitive cricket after recovering from a leg injury sustained during the England series in July 2024.
Pant, who missed India’s home Tests against the West Indies, is set to lead the India A side in both matches. The games will serve as an ideal preparation before India’s upcoming two-Test home series against South Africa’s senior team.
Pant’s Chance to Regain Form and Rhythm
The 28-year-old wicketkeeper-batter is expected to replace Dhruv Jurel in the senior Test side, but first, he will look to get valuable time in the middle.
Pant will be eager to spend long hours batting and refine his wicketkeeping ahead of facing world-class spinners like Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav in the Test series.
The Bengaluru pitch is known to favour batters, and with South Africa A’s relatively inexperienced bowling lineup—except off-spinner Prenelan Subrayen—Pant will have a good opportunity to settle back into form.
Sai Sudharsan Eyes a Big Knock
Vice-captain Sai Sudharsan will look to convert his promising starts into big scores. The Tamil Nadu left-hander last played for India in the second Test against the West Indies earlier this month and has now cemented his position at No. 3.
These two unofficial Tests could be crucial for Sudharsan to fine-tune his game before the senior team’s series against South Africa.
Alongside Pant and Sudharsan, several young Indian players are keen to make their mark. The squad features Khaleel Ahmed, Devdutt Padikkal, Narayan Jagadeesan, Harsh Dubey, Anshul Kamboj, and Tanush Kotian—all determined to showcase their potential.
For South Africa A, Zubayr Hamza will be a key player to watch. The right-hander has been recalled to the Test setup after nearly two years and is in fine touch, having scored two centuries and two fifties in his last six first-class games.
Match Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | 1st Unofficial Test – India A vs South Africa A |
| Venue | BCCI Centre of Excellence Ground, Bengaluru |
| Date | From Thursday |
| Time | 9:30 AM IST |
| India A Captain | Rishabh Pant |
| India A Vice-Captain | Sai Sudharsan |
The first unofficial Test promises to be an exciting contest, but all eyes will be on Rishabh Pant’s much-awaited return. For India A, it’s not just about winning—it’s about giving future Test stars like Pant, Sudharsan, and others a chance to sharpen their skills before the international season begins.
