Star Wicketkeeper-batsman and India Rishabh Pant’s return suffered a setback on Day 3 of the second unofficial Test against South Africa A in Bengaluru, as he retired injured after receiving many knocks while batting. The India A captain, who has been leading the squad in his return to competitive cricket, was hit three times, once on the helmet, once on his left elbow, and once on his abdomen, before leaving the field in pain.
Pant’s involvement in the India A series marked his first extended run in red-ball cricket since suffering a foot injury during the fourth Test against England in July. After missing the succeeding West Indies Tests, Pant returned to action in the first unofficial Test, scoring 90 runs to lead India A to victory at the BCCI Centre of Excellence. His leadership and batting record convinced the selectors that he was ready, winning him the vice-captaincy for India’s forthcoming two-Test series against South Africa, which begins November 14 in Kolkata.
Rishabh Pant seemed in terrific form during India’s second innings on Day 3 until his terrible injury.
He showed off his customary flare by flicking one delivery for six and pulling another for four, bringing his total to 17 from 22 balls. However, a sequence of punches caused him to quit injured at 108/4. Despite the obvious pain, the southpaw continued to bat, but a final hit near the elbow forced him to seek medical assistance and eventually quit.
At the time of his departure, India A were extending their lead to 150 runs, with Kuldeep Yadav and Harsh Dubey at the crease.
Watch the video below:
Rishabh Pant retried out after getting hit thrice 💔 pic.twitter.com/Sv6wNfREUo
— Ankur (@cricwithpant2) November 8, 2025
Earlier in the contest, India A posted 255 in their first innings, thanks to a sublime 132* from Dhruv Jurel. Pant chipped in with a 24 off 20 balls, hitting three fours and a six. In reply, South Africa A were bowled out for 221, with captain Marques Ackerman producing 134 off 118 balls. Prasidh Krishna (3/35), Mohammed Siraj (2/61), and Akash Deep (2/28) shared the wickets for India A, giving the hosts a slim first-innings lead.
India A’s second innings began on a poor note, losing Abhimanyu Easwaran for a duck and Sai Sudharsan early. KL Rahul (27) and Devdutt Padikkal (24) tried to stabilize things before both fell to South Africa’s pacer Okuhle Cele.
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