The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced the India A squad for the two Test matches against South Africa A. The much-awaited return of Rishabh Pant is finally set for red-ball return as he has been selected as the captain of India A. The star wicket-keeper will be back in action after a three-month hiatus. Pant, who had sustained a toe fracture during the fourth Test match of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, will return to red-ball after completing his rehab at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. Pant missed the recent Two-match Test series against the West Indies and was omitted from the Delhi Ranji Trophy 2025-26 squad as well due to his injury. Along with Rishabh Pant, some big names will be featuring against South Africa A, along with the newcomers. Delhi batter Ayush Badoni and Mumbai batter Ayush Mhatre have received their maiden call-ups for India A, whereas Saransh Jain will also feature after his recent Duleep Trophy performance. N Jagadeesan is the second wicketkeeper in the side, while Anshul Kamboj and Yash Thakur will take care of the pace attack. There are plenty of all-rounders available for the team, as Harsh Dubey, Tanush Kotian, and Manav Suthar are the other names included in the first Test match. Also Read: How India Can Qualify for Women's World Cup 2025 Semifinals After England Defeat The second unofficial Test match will feature Indian Test cricketers, including KL Rahul, Dhruv Jurel and Mohammed Siraj. The national selectors have also added Ruturaj Gaikwad, a name who often remains missing from the India A squad, to the India A squad after his heroics against Kerala in the Ranji Trophy match. India A and South Africa will play two unofficial four-day Test matches in Bengaluru, starting from October 30. The second match will get underway on November 2 at the same venue. India A Squads For South Africa A India A squad for the 1st Test match: Rishabh Pant (C) (WK), Ayush Mhatre, N Jagdeesan (WK), Sai Sudharsan (VC), Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar, Harsh Dubey, Tanush Kotian, Manav Suthar, Anshul Kamboj, Yash Thakur, Ayush Badoni, Saransh Jain India A squad for the 2nd Test match: Rishabh Pant (C) (WK), KL Rahul, Dhruv Jurel (WK), Sai Sudharsan (VC), Devdutt Padikkal, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Harsh Dubey, Tanush Kotian, Manav Suthar, Khaleel Ahmed, Gurnoor Brar, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Prasidh Krishna, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep