Bengaluru: India A’s captain Rishabh Pant ahead of the first unofficial four-day Test cricket match between India A and South Africa A, at BCCI Centre of Excellence, in Bengaluru, Karnataka. (PTI Photo/Shailendra Bhojak) (PTI10_29_2025_000150B) Rishabh Pant’s trademark on-field energy was on full display on Thursday during the India A vs South Africa A match at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. The stump mic once again captured the wicketkeeper’s animated pep talk to his bowlers — a reminder of why he’s among the most entertaining cricketer in the modern cricket.Pant, who is leading the India A side, was heard encouraging spin duo off Tanush Kotian and Manav Suthar with a mix of humour and confidence.
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“Jyada fielder nahi hai off-side mein (There aren’t many fielders on the off side). Daalte rah apna koi nahi (You keep bowling on the same length). “Thodi der dande pe daal koi problem nahi hai (try and bowl on the stumps). Maarne do (let him hit). Theek ha theek hai tang mat ho, relax hoke daal (its okay, don;t get riled up, just relax). “Shabash (very good). Rhythm pakadne ko dekho, aa jayega ek do over mein.. pareshan mat ho, (Try and find your rhythm, you will get the wicket in one or two overs, don’t stress too much” Pant said, urging Tanush to stay calm and focus on rhythm.Click here to watch Rishabh Pant’s stump-mic commentaryIn another instance, Pant turned to left-arm spinner Manav Suthar, firing up the left-armer in his usual chirpy tone.“Arre bhai yahi hai yahi hai, 6 ball daal ke dikhao zara maza aayega (This was good, now bowls six balls like this on the trot),” he said, drawing laughs from the slip cordon.
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Pant, who broke his foot during the fourth Test against England in June, has spent a lot of time at the rehabilitation facility at the CoE. These matches are crucial for him, and the 28-year-old will look to get runs and game time under his belt at a venue which is batting-friendly and against a bowling attack which, on paper, is largely short on experience.