Overview
- India A won the toss and chose to bowl first, with Pant keeping wicket and captaining, as confirmed by the BCCI.
- The match runs October 30–November 2 at the BCCI Centre of Excellence and is live-streamed on JioHotstar, with conflicting reports about a TV telecast in India.
- India A’s XI includes Sai Sudharsan, Devdutt Padikkal and Rajat Patidar, while South Africa A are led by Marques Ackerman with Zubayr Hamza and Jordan Hermann in the top order.
- Anshul Kamboj struck early for India A before South Africa A regrouped through a substantial stand featuring half-centuries by Hermann and Hamza, per live coverage updates.
- Pant’s return drew online attention for his No. 18 jersey and a stump-mic clip of him advising his spinners that circulated widely.