Team India wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant will lead the India ‘A’ side in two four-day matches against the South Africa ‘A’ side ahead of the Test series between the two teams. Notably, middle-order Sarfaraz Khan has been left out of the squad despite being in contention for the upcoming home series.
The two-match red-ball series will begin on October 30, while the second four-day match will take place from November 6 to 9. Notably, both matches will be held at the BCCI Center of Excellence in Bengaluru. Sai Sudharsan, Devdutt Padikkal, Dhruv Jurel, Mohammed Siraj and others have been included in the squad.
India uses A-Team Series to prepare for major test assignments
India has a habit of playing A-team series as a preparatory step for major Test series. Notably, India A had faced Australia A in a red ball series in Lucknow ahead of their series against the West Indies. Test stars like KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Nitish Reddy and Devdutt Padikkal played in the second game.
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Head coach Gautam Gambhir recently emphasized the importance of participating in competitive matches, be it domestic cricket matches or A-series matches, to build form and match rhythm, rather than relying solely on net sessions.
The upcoming two-match series will be closely watched, especially for the performances of Test specialists. Rishabh Pant will aim to get match-ready and secure his place in the senior Test squad through these matches.
Sarfaraz Khan has left out a selection from India for the upcoming series
Sarfaraz Khan has been left out of India A’s squad for the upcoming two-match series against South Africa A at home. The right-handed middle-order batsman last played for India A against England Lions earlier this year, scoring 92 in the first unofficial Test at Canterbury.
Sarfaraz made his Test debut for India in February 2024 against England under Rohit Sharma. The right-handed batsman scored 62 runs before being retired. He scored 371 runs in 11 innings at an average of 37.10, including one century and three fifties.
In domestic cricket, the 27-year-old has scored 4,759 runs in 55 first-class matches at an average of 65.98, including 16 centuries and 15 fifties, with a highest score of 301 not out. He will be keen to make a comeback in India’s upcoming two-match Test series against South Africa at home.
Fans react as Sarfaraz Khan is left out of India A Squad
Meet Sarfaraz Khan:
– he has an average of 65+ in FC,
– he did great against Eng in his debit series when India were 0-1 down,
– he scored 150 runs 2 tests ago,
– Reduced weight of 17 kg
– passed the yo-yo testNot picked for Ind-A, another career destroyed by Agarkar & Gambhir!!pic.twitter.com/W6BnG7cceJ
— Rajiv (@Rajiv1841) October 21, 2025
Sarfaraz Khan is not in the Indian first team squad even though he is performing so well in domestic cricket that I feel sorry for him pic.twitter.com/Cmi51DEPsf
— Fan_virat (@mdTajim99279152) October 21, 2025
Feel for Sarfaraz Khan…!!!!!
He played in the England tour for the India A team, scoring 92 runs in the first unofficial match, but then dropped out of the picture due to injury – improved his fitness, lost a lot of weight and returned to the Ranji Trophy (making important 74 runs) but no place in the… pic.twitter.com/cLnMWBipcA
— Johannes. (@CricCrazyJohns) October 21, 2025
Every day Sarfaraz is kept away from the national team. I hope Bharat Sundaresan has a little bit of regret for costing the career of the most prolific domestic batsman of this decade. https://t.co/ToELwqgN5U
— ♠️ (@SiddViz) October 21, 2025
I absolutely don’t understand how Sarfaraz Khan can’t even make it to the Indian ‘A’ squad! People used to say fitness and all that, but what now? What else does he have to do to stand up for himself. Just crazy! #INDAvsSA
— Mohsin Kamal (@64MohsinKamal) October 21, 2025
I’m a bit surprised by the continued absence of Sarfaraz Khan – even now from the India A system, who is not mentioned in the two India A Tests vs South Africa A
— Vikrant Gupta (@vikrantgupta73) October 21, 2025
Sarfaraz Khan deserves to at least play for India A.
— Bharat Ramaraj (@Fancricket12) October 21, 2025
Sarfaraz Khan scored 92 for India A vs England Lions before getting injured. Came back fitter and lighter, made 74 in Ranji. Still no place in the India A-selection. Hard to take.💔 pic.twitter.com/ls6gOJdaP6
— Soaib Akhtar (@SSA_807) October 21, 2025
Sarfaraz Khan is not selected even in India. A. What has suddenly changed?
— Suraj Pandey (Hello RCB) (@elsurajpandey) October 21, 2025
Sarfaraz Khan after dressing room leaked the story in Aus dropped out of Eng tour, Karun picked him up.
Scored 92 against Eng L (won only 1 match), 100 in the intra-squad, lost weight, worked on his fitness and proved it in the Ranji match but was still ignored for India A.
Cricket decision?— Manoj Dimri (@manoj_dimri) October 21, 2025
What happened to Sarfaraz Khan?
Forget the main squad, isn’t he good enough to also play for the A-selection? https://t.co/P0zpwuReq9— wtf (@whatdfrock) October 21, 2025
No Sarfaraz Khan for India A?
I can’t understand it— Storm Rohit (@Rohitjugal) October 21, 2025
Hello Sarfaraz Khan,
Please announce the retirement of your cricket career.
— Shakur Press (@Shakurs17) October 21, 2025
Also Read: Virat Kohli bats 45 minutes, Rohit Sharma spends so much time in nets for 2nd ODI vs AUS
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