India A skipper Rishabh Pant allayed injury concerns, smashing a quickfire half-century after being forced to retire hurt on Day 3 of the four-day match against South Africa A, in Bengaluru, on Saturday.
Pant retired hurt temporarily on 17 from 22 balls after he was hit thrice by South African pacer Tshepo Moraki towards the end of the morning session at the BCCI's Centre of Excellence grounds.
Dhruv Jurel replaced Pant in the middle, with the latter seen with his left-hand strapped.
However, Pant, who was named in the India squad for the two-Test home series against South Africa from November 14, later came out to bat after the dismissal of Harsh Dubey.
He smashed a brilliant 65 from 54 balls, hitting four sixes and five fours. Dhruv Jurel stole the show, with a brilliant knock of 127 not out from 170 balls, with 15 fours and a six as the duo put on 82 from 54 balls.
Spin all-rounder Harsh Dubey stroked 84 from 116 balls, with 12 fours and a six, putting on 184 runs for the seventh wicket with Jurel.
India declared their second innings on 382/7 in 89.2 overs after Pant's dismissal late on Day 3 setting South Africa 417 runs for victory. The visitors survived the 11 overs before stumps reaching 25 for no loss with Jordan Hermann on 15 and Lesego Senokwane on nine.
Earlier, a team official had informed that Pant would come out to bat if the situation demands it.
"The team physios are observing him, and they will take a call whether he can bat or not, if the match situation comes to that," the official told PTI.
Moraki hit Pant flush on the helmet as he attempted a reverse pull. He was then hit on the elbow while playing a conventional pull and eventually on the abdomen area that left him wincing in pain.
He was subjected to medical attention on all three occasions. India A coach Hrishikesh Kanitkar finally asked Pant to return despite him wanting to continue to bat.
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