India, Oct. 21 -- Rishabh Pant will make a much-awaited return to competitive cricket at the month end. He was named skipper on Tuesday of India A that will play two four-day matches against a touring South Africa side having fully recovered from a foot fracture suffered during the fourth Test in England.

Pant, named vice-captain for the England series in June-July, was in imperious form with two centuries and three fifties before suffering the injury in the Manchester Test. He was struck on his right foot by a full delivery from Chris Woakes in the first innings. Though he braved the pain and came back to bat, scans revealed the fracture, putting him out of action since then. He missed the T20 Asia Cup and the two-match home Test series...