Rishabh Pant’s return to competitive cricket after a three-month break due to injury will be the main attraction in the four-day unofficial Test match between India A and South Africa A starting here on Thursday.

Pant suffered a leg injury during the fourth Test against England on July 23 and the wicketkeeper batsman has been undergoing rehabilitation process since then.

Meanwhile, Pant could not play in the home Test series against West Indies, but the two unofficial Test matches to be held at BCCI’s COE ground will give him an important opportunity for match practice before the two-match Test series against world champions South Africa at home. He will also captain India A in these matches against South Africa A.

This 28-year-old player can replace Dhruv Jurel in the senior team, who performed brilliantly against West Indies. He will play as a wicketkeeper batsman against South Africa.

Pant will be keen to spend some quality time on the field in actual match conditions, provided incessant rain in this stretch does not disrupt play.

Barring off-spinner Prenelan Subrayen, South Africa A’s less experienced bowling unit cannot cause much trouble for Pant on his return. The pitch here is also suitable for batting.

Apart from improving his batting, Pant will also be keen to improve his wicket-keeping as in the Test series, he will have to fulfill his responsibilities behind the wicket in front of top-class bowlers like Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav.

In this context, he will get a chance to practice well in front of spinners like Saransh Jain, Manav Suthar and Harsh Dubey.

Sai Sudarshan played his last match in the second Test against West Indies in Delhi earlier this month and these two matches will provide him an opportunity to sharpen his game before the Test series against South Africa.

This batsman from Tamil Nadu has currently confirmed his place at number three but he has not been able to convert his good start into a big score. He will be desperate to play big innings here.

Apart from Pant and Sudarshan, India A team also includes players like Khalil Ahmed, Anshul Kamboj, Devdutt Padikkal, Narayan Jagadeesan who will be desperate to leave their impact.

As far as South Africa is concerned, it will keep an eye on the performance of Zubair Hamza, who has been recalled to the Test team after a gap of almost two years. Hamza is in good form at the moment and has scored two centuries and two half-centuries in the last six first-class matches.

The teams are as follows:

India A: Rishabh Pant (captain, wk), Ayush Mhatre, N Jagadeesan (wk), Sai Sudarshan (vice-captain), Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar, Harsh Dubey, Tanush Kotian, Manav Suthar, Khalil Ahmed, Gurnoor Brar, Anshul Kamboj, Yash Thakur, Ayush Badoni, Saransh Jain.

South Africa A: Marques Ackerman, Temba Bavuma (only for the second four-day match), Okuhle Cele, Zubair Hamzah, Jordan Harman, Rubin Harman, Rivaldo Moonsamy, Tshepo Moreki, Mihalali Mpongwana, Lesego Senokwane, Prenlan Subraine, Kyle Simmonds, Tshepo Ndwandwa, Jason Smith, Tian Wan. Wuren, Cody Joseph. The match will start at 9.30 am.

Indian cricketer Rishabh Pant helped to enroll in the college by filling the fees of a meritorious student of Karnataka. Pant’s move has won the hearts of people. His noble work is being appreciated.

Jyoti Kanbur Math, a resident of Rabakvi village of Bilagi Taluk, scored 83 percent marks in class 12. Jyoti was dreaming of higher education, but the financial crisis became a big obstacle. Jyoti had to struggle for admission in college.

Jyoti’s father runs a small tea shop in the pilgrim village. He is unable to bear the expenses of his daughter’s education.

Anil Hanunnikatti, a local contractor from the village, was contacted. Hannashnikatti was requested to help Jyoti to get a BCA seat at BLDE College, Jamkhandi. Anil not only promised help in his admission, but also assured to arrange financial help.

Hanunnashtti contacted his friends in Bangalore. Anil’s friend is close to Rishabh Pant, who informed the Indian cricketer about Jyoti. Rishabh Pant immediately came forward for help. On July 17, he transferred 40 thousand rupees directly to the college account for the first semester fee of Jyoti.

Expressing gratitude to Rishabh Pant, Jyoti said, “I completed 12th class from Glungi and dreamed of doing a Bachelor of Computer Application (BCA) course, but the financial condition of the house was not good. I told Anil Hanashikatti about this and he contacted my friends in Bengaluru, who made Rishabh Pant from my situation and he helped me.”

Jyoti said, “Give good health to Lord Rishabh Pant. His help matters a lot to me. Hopefully, Pant will continue to support other students of poor backgrounds like me.”

IND vs Eng First Test: The first Test being played between India and England in the leads of Headingley has reached the peak of adventure. The first innings of both teams have been completed and the match is now a thorn. While India had scored a strong score of 471 runs in the first innings, the England team also retaliated and scored 461 runs.

Although the score was almost equal, but during this match another case has come into the discussion and that was the attitude of the umpires about changing the ball, with which the Indian players were clearly angry with the field.

Pant and Gill angry over ball change

During England’s first innings, Indian players demanded the umpire to change the ball several times, but umpire Chris Ghaffni was seen rejecting it every time. Vice -captain Rishabh Pant was also seen showing the umpire about the ball, but the umpire still did not change his decision. Pant became so angry at this that he threw the ball in anger on the field.

At the same time, captain Shubman Gill and senior fast bowler Jaspreet Bumrah also appealed to the umpire, but their point was also ignored by the umpire. The players said that the ball is no longer swinging and its shape has also deteriorated, in such a situation it was necessary to change it.

What is the condition of the match till now? India has a chance to win

After the three -day game, the match is going on, but at the moment the Indian team is looking a little ahead. Team India has scored 90 runs at the loss of 2 wickets till the stumps on the third day in their second innings and has gained a lead of 96 runs.

Captain Shubman Gill and KL Rahul are currently present at the crease and if India bats well on the fourth day, then this lead can easily reach 300. With which it will be possible to give England a big goal in the second innings.

Waiting for first win after 2021

India won the Test match in England in 2021 for the last time, at that time the captaincy of the team was in the hand of Virat Kohli. Kohli announced his retirement from Test cricket just before the series against England, after which the team’s command was handed over to Shubman Gill.

IND vs Eng First Test: In the first Test being played between India and England in the headingley, the Indian team has shocked the English team by batting well on the first day. Thanks to the unbeaten innings of Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant, Team India has scored a huge score of 359 runs for 3 wickets till the end of the first day’s play. Let us tell you that this is the biggest score of India in England and that too after the last 93 years.

On the first day, Indian team opener Yashasvi Jaiswal played a 101 -run innings, while KL Rahul scored 42 runs. However, Sai Sudarshan could not even open an account in his debut test and returned to the pavilion after getting out at zero.

Now before the start of the second day, the fans will be eyeing 5 special records and performance, which can make this match even more historic in many ways.

Shubman Gill’s double century

Team India’s new Test captain Shubman Gill has made it even more memorable by scoring a century in his captaincy debut. On the first day of Mukabale, Gill has scored 127 runs off 175 balls at a strike rate of 72.57. He has so far hit 16 fours and a six in the match.

Seeing Gill’s batting, it is not difficult to guess that if he still continues to play in the same rhythm, he can become the first Indian player to score a double century in a debut test as captain.

Possible century of Rishabh Pant

Rishabh Pant has played a completely different, a restrained and controlled innings from his old style in the first innings. The vice -captain of the Indian team has scored 65 runs in 102 balls and his strike rate was 63.72, which is less than Shubman Gill. This is a sign of his calm and thoughtful batting. When Pant’s eye freezes, he is famous to play by spending time on the pitch. In such a situation, there is every possibility of a century out of his bat today, if he does not take risks against his nature and play time at the crease.

Karun Nair’s strong return

The second day match is going to be very important for Karun Nair, who is returning to Team India after 8 years. Karun is the same batsman who once scored a triple century against England. The pitch of the headingley is helping the batsmen and if Karun is stuck, Indian fans can expect a big innings from them.
After eight years, this opportunity for Nair is to prove himself again.

Ravindra Jadeja expected all -round performance

Ravindra Jadeja, who was included as the only all -rounder in Team India, will be eyeing everyone at this time. Jadeja has been given a chance to play in the team, leaving behind Nitish Reddy and Washington Sundar.
Jadeja has performed brilliantly on the foreign pitch in the last 4-5 years, with the bat and also with the ball. Fans hope that Jadeja will play a big innings here and can also make England team in trouble with the ball.

Bumrah’s return to team

Jasprit Bumrah, who is returning to the team after about six months, will also come down to show his amazing on the field today. There is a mild bounce and swing for the bowlers on the headingley pitch, clouds are also playing an important role in the weather from above.

All these circumstances are easy for Bumrah to bowl. Bumrah’s brilliant record of bowling suggests that when he gets a little swing and bounce, he can turn the match. In such a situation, if he returns in his style today, then England’s first innings can be dealt with in a low score and there can be a possibility of five wicket hall.

IND vs Eng First Test: The first Test match of Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy against England has brought a great start for Team India. On the first day of this match being played on the Leeds ground in Headingley, the Indian batsmen performed brilliantly and brought the hosts to the backfoot completely. While captain Shubman Gill and opener Yashasvi Jaiswal scored a brilliant century, Vice -captain Rishabh Pant has also put the team in a strong position by scoring a fiery half -century.

On the first day, the Indian team has scored 359 runs for 3 wickets till the end of the day’s play. Captain Shubman Gill is standing at the crease scoring 127 not out and wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant for 65 runs.

Gill’s brilliant start of captaincy

Shubman Gill has proved himself by scoring a century in a brilliant manner as soon as he takes responsibility for India’s Test captaincy. He not only scored runs with the bat, but also showed confidence as captain. With his brilliant batting, Gill has also shut the mouth of critics. Gill has become the youngest Indian captain to score a century in England. Along with this, he has also become the fourth Indian captain to score a century in his captaincy debut. Before that, this achievement was achieved by Vijay Hazare, Sunil Gavaskar and Virat Kohli. Who scored a century on his Test debut as a captain.

Jaiswal’s strong century on England pitch

23 -year -old Yashasvi Jaiswal played a brilliant innings by scoring 101 runs off 144 balls in the first Test of his England tour. This is the 5th century of his Test career. With this innings, he has become the fifth Indian batsman to score a century in a debut test in England. He has responded to England’s Bazball strategy in his own style.

Vice -captain Rishabh Pant’s aggressive innings

After the dismissal of Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant, who came to bat in the third session, has put pressure on the bowlers of England. Playing an unbeaten innings of 65 runs, he supported captain Shubman Gill and has brought the team’s score to a strong position. His innings has ended all the expectations of England’s return to the last session.

Sai Sudarshan’s debut faded

Sai Sudarshan, who is making her debut for India, was dismissed without opening an account in the first Test match against England. When the team’s score in the first session was 91 runs, then the team opener KL Rahul was dismissed for 42 runs. In the very next over, Sai also started walking towards the pavilion. However, after the initial tremors, Gill, Jaywal and Pant took over the innings.

England bowlers became ineffective

For England, captain Ben Stokes took 2 wickets while Bridan Cars got 1 success as KL Rahul. England’s bowling was ineffective and he was seen struggling in front of Indian batsmen throughout the day. India scored 4.86 runs per over in the second session and 4.24 runs per over in the third session.

The condition of the match on the first day

India : 359/3 (85 overs)
KL Rahul: 42 runs
Yashasvi Jaiswal: 101 runs
Sai Sudarshan: 0 run
Shubman Gill: 127 not out
Rishabh Pant: 65 not out

England wickets

Ben Stokes: 2 wickets
Bridan Cars: 1 wicket