Overview
- Pant ended a three-month layoff from a fractured foot by captaining India A in a four-day game against South Africa A at the Bengaluru Centre of Excellence.
- His choice of the No. 18 jersey, long associated with Virat Kohli, drew wide attention on social media and prompted fresh fan reactions.
- A senior BCCI official has reiterated that India A kits do not have fixed numbers and that number assignments are only binding in international matches.
- This was not the first recent instance of No. 18 in A-team play, as Mukesh Kumar wore the number in June during an unofficial Test against the England Lions.
- The fixture is one of two warm-up matches before India’s senior Test series against South Africa next month, with Pant’s fitness and form under evaluation.