Rishabh Pant surprised fans by wearing Virat Kohli’s iconic No. 18 jersey during the India A vs South Africa A match at the BCCI Centre of Excellence. Kohli, now retired from Tests and T20Is, famously wore the number throughout his career, while Pant usually sports No. 17. Leading India A, Pant won the toss and chose to field; by lunch, South Africa A were 108 for 1, with Jordan Hermann (42*) and Zubayr Hamza (56*) building a strong partnership. Returning from a three-month foot injury sustained in England, the 28-year-old wicketkeeper-batter is eyeing a Test comeback against South Africa.

Pant donning Kohli’s jersey has sparked a flurry of reactions online, with some hailing it as a generational shift, while others opined that number 18 should be duly retired in reverence and respect for Kohli and the enduring impact he has had on the game.

Rishabh looks fitter, says Sai Sudharsan

Pant is looking "fitter" and is raring to go in the two-match four-day series against South Africa A here, India A vice-captain Sai Sudharsan saidahead of the match.

Pant, who will lead India A, is returning after a three-month absence because of a foot injury which he sustained in July in England, and now the 28-year-old is aiming to get back to the national fold during the two-match Test series against the Proteas.

“Rishabh looks fantastic, actually, may be fitter I would say. He had some time to build, put that training in his legs because sometimes when you get injured you have that specific time to work on whatever you want. I feel he looks a bit more fit and strong and as courageous as always he is,” said Sudharsan after India A's training session.

The Tamil Nadu batter said Pant was in his characteristic bubbly self during the training session at the BCCI CoE and has exhorted the team to use the matches to get the red-ball rhythm.

“The message from Pant is very clear. We were in a huddle on the first day of training and he was saying that this is a great opportunity for everybody to again get the rhythm of the game. At the same time, we are also playing to win and that is the main thing,” he noted. (With inputs from Agencies)