Who Are Khaleel and Gurnoor in the India A Squad for Upcoming Matches Against South Africa A?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Khaleel Ahmed and Gurnoor Brar join the squad for matches against South Africa A.
- Rishabh Pant returns as captain after injury.
- The matches occur at the BCCI Centre in Bengaluru.
- Brar’s recent form shows promise for the team.
- These matches are vital for upcoming selections.
Mumbai, Oct 21 (NationPress) Khaleel Ahmed and Gurnoor Brar have been included in the India A squad for the initial of two four-day matches against South Africa A, scheduled at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru from October 30 to November 2. The pair will participate in both Test matches.
Brar recently played in India A’s two unofficial Tests against Australia A. The 25-year-old claimed two wickets in the first match and followed up with a stellar performance in the second, taking six wickets and achieving a three-wicket haul in each innings.
Ahmed participated in India A’s first unofficial Test but was absent for the second. He subsequently played in Rajasthan’s recent Ranji game against Chhattisgarh, where he took three wickets in the first innings, aiding his team to a nine-wicket triumph.
Moreover, Rishabh Pant is poised to return to competitive action after an extended injury recovery, as the BCCI Selection Committee appointed him captain of the India A squad for the upcoming four-day fixtures against South Africa.
Pant sustained a fracture in the metatarsal of his right foot during the fourth Test against England in Manchester in late July, after an inside edge from a reverse sweep off Chris Woakes. He had to retire hurt at 37, with later scans confirming the fracture.
This prolonged recovery has led Pant to miss the Asia Cup, a two-match Test series against the West Indies, which concluded earlier this month in India, as well as the current white-ball tour in Australia.
Updated India A squad for the first four-day match: Rishabh Pant (C) (WK), Ayush Mhatre, N Jagdeesan (WK), Sai Sudharsan (VC), Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar, Harsh Dubey, Tanush Kotian, Manav Suthar, Khaleel Ahmed, Gurnoor Brar, Anshul Kamboj, Yash Thakur, Ayush Badoni, Saransh Jain
Squad for the second four-day match: Rishabh Pant (C) (WK), KL Rahul, Dhruv Jurel (WK), Sai Sudharsan (VC), Devdutt Padikkal, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Harsh Dubey, Tanush Kotian, Manav Suthar, Khaleel Ahmed, Gurnoor Brar, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Prasidh Krishna, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep
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