Rishabh Pant, who went out of the field after suffering several injuries on his body, is now back on the field and has started batting for India A. He scored his half-century along with centurion Dhruv Jurel.
India A has named Rishabh Pant as its captain for the two unofficial Test matches against South Africa A to mark his comeback journey in the longest format of the game. He also made a comeback in the red ball format with the South Africa series and was named vice-captain.
Rishabh Pant suffered an injury against leading fast bowler Chris Woakes during the England tour. He led them to a spectacular victory in the first unofficial Test, where he scored 90 runs in the second innings to help India win by three wickets.
Rishabh Pant returned to the field after facing initial setbacks
Rishabh Pant was a part of India A’s innings during the second unofficial Test against South Africa A. Pant scored 17 runs, before he suffered injuries to his head, his left elbow and finally his lower abdomen and had to leave the field.
He spoke to the physio before leaving the field and was then kept under close observation after retiring hurt on the third day of the four-day game between the two teams.
A team official had told PTI before Pant’s return to the field, “The team physio is monitoring him and if the match situation becomes such, they will decide whether he can bat or not.”
Pant, being typically competitive, wanted to continue batting but was dropped as a precaution to ensure his participation and return to international cricket with the Test series against South Africa.
Pant retired hurt after being hit thrice
But now he is back on the crease and has started batting against South Africa A pic.twitter.com/PaUdMT7UbV
– Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) 8 November 2025
Dhruv Jurel is creating problems for Gautam Gambhir by scoring two centuries against South Africa A.
Dhruv Jurel has been the star for India in the absence of Rishabh Pant and this young wicketkeeper batsman has been making waves with the bat since the West Indies Test series. With a brilliant maiden century and strong 40+ scores in the West Indies tour, Jurel’s confidence grew further as he was added as a backup to KL Rahul for the Australia tour.
Jurel returned to India and joined the India A squad for the second unofficial Test along with KL Rahul and Kuldeep Yadav. In the first innings, he was the only dominant batsman in the innings with an unbeaten century.
His dominance did not end there, as it seemed as if the batsman had started his second innings from where he had left the first. Another innings and second first-class century for Dhruv Jurel. Despite the return of Rishabh Pant to the Indian team, he is strengthening his hold on the Indian spot.
The South Africa tour is scheduled to begin from November 14, with the first Test to be played at Eden Gardens, Kolkata.
Harsh Dubey and Dhruv Jurel made a partnership of 150 runs for the sixth wicket.
When India A were looking somewhat troubled with the early dismissals of their top order, and their captain being sent back due to injury threat, Dhruv Jurel arrived to form a brilliant partnership with Harsh Dubey for the sixth wicket.
Dhruv scored his second century of the match in consecutive innings and was surprisingly supported by Harsh Dubey, who played a brilliant innings under pressure. Before he was out, he scored 84 runs in just 116 balls and Pant returned to the crease.
Rishabh Pant scored 65 runs in just 54 balls. On his return, he scored 48 runs off just 32 balls with a strike rate of 120.37, hitting 5 fours and 4 sixes.
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