Rishabh Pant was given huge responsibility on his return to competitive cricket as the BCCI named the wicketkeeper-batter as the captain of India A for their two four-day matches against South Africa A in November. Pant, who fractured his toe during the fourth Test match against England in Manchester, and has been under watchful eyes of BCCI medical team in the last three-four months.

Sai Sudharsan, who made his Indian Test debut in England, has been named as vice-captain for both the games. Both the games will be played at BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru, the first of which will start starts on October 30.

Meanwhile, the likes of KL Rahul, Dhruv Jurel, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Prasidh Krishna, Mohammed Siraj and Akash Deep have been included only for the second game, starting November 6.

Since his foot fracture, Pant has been out of action and missed India’s Test series against West Indies at home and the white-ball tour of Australia. The 27-year-old has been under rehabilitation at BCCI’s CoE since then.

Earlier, Cricket South Africa have announced their A squads for the India tour. The A series serves as a precursor to the senior men’s tour of India in November. It will also see the return of South Africa’s World Test Championship-winning captain Temba Bavuma in the second 4-day game. The three-match one-day games will be played between November 13-19.

India A squads against South Africa A

India A squad for 1st four-day 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 2nd four-day 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.

South Africa A squads for India tour

South Africa A squad for unofficial Tests: Marques Ackerman, Temba Bavuma (only 2nd game), Okuhle Cele, Zubayr Hamza, Jordan Hermann, Rubin Hermann, Rivaldo Moonsamy, Tshepo Moreki, Mihlali Mpongwana, Lesego Senokwane, Prenelan Subrayen, Kyle Simmonds, Tsepo Ndwandwa, Jason Smith, Tiaan van Vuuren, and Codi Yusuf.

South Africa A squad for unofficial one-dayers: Marques Ackerman, Ottneil Baartman, Bjorn Fortuin, Jordan Hermann, Rubin Hermann, Kwena Maphaka, Rivaldo Moonsamy, Tshepo Moreki, Mihlali Mpongwana, Nqaba Peter, Delano Potgieter, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Sinethemba Qeshile, Jason Smith, and Codi Yusuf.