Rishabh Pant Returns as India Names Squad for South Africa Tests

• Rishabh Pant makes comeback after foot injury sustained in England.
• Pant replaces N Jagadeesan; Akash Deep comes in for Prasidh Krishna.
• First Test against South Africa begins November 14 at Eden Gardens, Kolkata.

India’s star wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant is set to return to the national team for the upcoming two-Test series against South Africa, following a foot injury he sustained during the fourth Test against England in July. The series will kick off on November 14 at Eden Gardens in Kolkata, with the second Test scheduled in Guwahati from November 22.

Pant has replaced N Jagadeesan in the squad that faced the West Indies last month, while Akash Deep takes the place of Prasidh Krishna. The 28-year-old will also resume his role as vice-captain.

The left-handed batter made his competitive return as captain of India A in their unofficial Test against South Africa A, held from October 30 to November 2 in Bengaluru. Pant kept wickets throughout the match and scored 90 runs off 113 balls in the second innings, helping India A secure a three-wicket victory after a modest 17 in the first innings.

Despite Dhruv Jurel’s impressive performance against the West Indies, which included a maiden Test century, Pant is expected to slot straight back into the squad. Earlier this year, he began the England series with back-to-back centuries and is averaging 64.44 across five Tests in 2025.

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Meanwhile, Prasidh Krishna will feature in India A’s three-match one-day series against South Africa A in Rajkot, led by Tilak Varma with Ruturaj Gaikwad as vice-captain. Pant’s return adds both experience and firepower as India looks to continue its strong Test form.