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India ‘A’ vs South Africa ‘A’: First Unofficial Test Underway in Bengaluru

India ‘A’ is set to take on South Africa ‘A’ in a two-match unofficial Test series ahead of the Proteas’ upcoming tour of the subcontinent. The first first-class game kicked off on Thursday, October 30, at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has named a strong squad across both matches, with most of the main Test squad members expected to feature in the second game.

In the opening Test, India ‘A’ won the toss and elected to bowl first. Anshul Kamboj provided an early breakthrough for the home side, putting the visitors on the back foot. However, South Africa ‘A’ have recovered well and currently stand at 153 for 2 in 39 overs, aiming to dominate the opening day’s play.

India ‘A’ Squad for the 1st Four-Day Match

Rishabh Pant (Captain & Wicketkeeper)

Ayush Mhatre

N Jagdeesan (Wicketkeeper)

Sai Sudharsan (Vice-Captain)

Devdutt Padikkal

Rajat Patidar

Harsh Dubey

Tanush Kotian

Manav Suthar

Khaleel Ahmed

Gurnoor Brar

Anshul Kamboj

Yash Thakur

Ayush Badoni

Saransh Jain

3 Players to Watch Out For in India ‘A’ vs South Africa ‘A’ – 1st Unofficial Test 2025

1. Rishabh Pant

The star wicket-keeper Rishabh Pant is making a much-anticipated return to competitive cricket after recovering from a foot fracture sustained during the fourth Test against England in the 2025 Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. Pant not only returns to play but also leads the India ‘A’ team as they prepare for the upcoming home series against South Africa.

India ‘A’ batter Sai Sudharsan recently praised Pant’s fitness, stating he looks fitter than ever, which adds to the excitement around his comeback. Given his full recovery, Pant is expected to be an automatic pick for the senior Test squad. It will be interesting to see how quickly he sheds any rustiness.

Notably, Pant’s last significant injury layoff was due to a car accident, after which he quickly regained form, enjoying a stellar 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) season and earning a spot in the 2024 T20 World Cup squad.

2. Rajat Patidar

Rajat Patidar, the flamboyant middle-order batter, is steadily climbing the ranks thanks to his recent consistent performances. He could soon break into the Indian middle-order if he maintains his form and a vacancy arises.

Patidar’s recent exploits include two centuries leading the Central Zone to victory in the 2025 Duleep Trophy and a fifty in the first innings of the Irani Trophy for the Rest of India team. He also kicked off his Ranji Trophy season with a commanding unbeaten century.

Coming into the India ‘A’ setup in such rich red-ball form, Patidar is definitely one of the players to keep an eye on against South Africa ‘A’. With India still debating the middle-order spots—contested by players like Dhruv Jurel and Devdutt Padikkal—Patidar could strengthen his claim with another solid showing in the upcoming matches.

3. Ayush Mhatre

Mumbai youngster Ayush Mhatre has fast-tracked his way into the India youth setup following an impressive 2025 IPL campaign with Chennai Super Kings (CSK). At just 18 years old, Mhatre has captained the India U-19 side on tours to England and Australia.

While he has had moments of inconsistency, Mhatre has compiled two hundreds and a fifty in his last 10 outings for India’s youth teams. Recently, he featured in Mumbai’s 2025-26 Ranji Trophy opener against Jammu and Kashmir, contributing useful cameos but missing the chance to build a big innings.

This match marks Mhatre’s debut in India ‘A’ colors, and it will be exciting to see how he performs against experienced bowlers like Tshepo Moreki, Lutho Sipamla, and Prenelan Subrayen, all of whom have international cricket experience.

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**Veteran Team India All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja Continues Dream Run with the Bat in Test Cricket**
*By Gaurav Tripathi | Oct 04, 2025, 11:22 am*

Veteran Team India all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja has continued his phenomenal form with the bat in Test cricket. He scored a stunning century in the first Test between India and West Indies at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium. His unbeaten 104-run knock helped India declare at 448/5, responding strongly to West Indies’ first innings score of 162 all out.

### A Stellar Knock from Jadeja

Jadeja came to the crease after KL Rahul’s dismissal at 218 for four and forged a formidable 206-run partnership for the fifth wicket with Dhruv Jurel. While Jurel scored a fluent 125 off 176 balls, featuring 15 fours and three sixes, Jadeja’s aggressive batting ensured India maintained a commanding lead.

His unbeaten 104 was a perfect blend of defense and aggression, particularly effective against spinners. During his 176-ball stay, Jadeja smashed six fours and five sixes, finishing the innings unbeaten and setting a strong platform for India.

### Second-Most Runs in Tests in 2025

Playing his seventh Test in 2025, Jadeja has raced to 659 runs at a stellar average of 82.37 across 13 innings. This includes two centuries and seven fifties. According to ESPNcricinfo, each of Jadeja’s seven 50-plus scores this year have come in his last nine Test innings.

In terms of Test runs in 2025, the southpaw is second only to his skipper Shubman Gill, who has scored 837 runs. No other batter with at least 600 runs in 2025 boasts an average over 70.

### His Best Year in Terms of Test Runs

Jadeja, who made his Test debut back in 2012, has never crossed the 600-run mark in Tests in any other calendar year before 2025. Additionally, he has not recorded six or more 50-plus scores in any other year.

The only other year in which Jadeja hammered multiple Test hundreds was 2022, making 2025 his best year to date in terms of batting performances.

### Record-Breaking Run in Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy

Jadeja was in exceptional form during the 2025 Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy against hosts England, where India earned a 2-2 draw. The southpaw finished the series with 516 runs from 5 Tests (10 innings) at an outstanding average of 86.

He registered one century and five fifties in the series, achieving the joint-most 50-plus scores at No. 6 or lower by any batter in an away Test series – a total of six.

### Other Feats in the England Series

Jadeja set the record for the most 50-plus scores for India in a Test series in England, accumulating six such scores. He also became the first Indian to score over 500 runs in a Test series while batting at six or lower.

Overall, he recorded the third-most runs at this position in an away Test series, underscoring his vital role in India’s batting lineup.

### Jadeja Inches Closer to 4,000 Test Runs

Playing his 86th Test, Jadeja has now amassed 3,990 runs at an average of 38.73, including six centuries and 27 fifties. The 36-year-old is just 10 runs away from becoming the fourth cricketer ever to score 4,000 runs and take over 300 wickets in Test cricket – a remarkable all-round milestone.

During his innings, Jadeja also became the fourth Indian to complete 80 Test sixes, joining the elite company of Virender Sehwag (90), Rishabh Pant (90), and Rohit Sharma (88).

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Ravindra Jadeja’s consistent brilliance with both bat and ball continues to be a cornerstone of Team India’s success in Test cricket. His remarkable form in 2025 signals yet another memorable chapter in his illustrious career.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/sports/decoding-ravindra-jadeja-dream-test-run-in-2025/story

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3 players for watch out for in IND-A vs SA-A 1st Unofficial Test 2025 ft. Rishabh Pant