New Delhi: In a major blow for India, pacers Akash Deep and Harshit Rana are set to miss the upcoming Test match against Afghanistan and the white-ball tour of England. India will lock horns with Afghanistan in a one-off Test match at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh, starting June 06.
The Men in Blue will then travel to England for a white-ball series consisting of three ODIs and five T20Is in July this year. Both Rana and Akash Deep are still far from regaining full fitness and are reportedly set to miss the Test match against Afghanistan and the England tour.
Akash Deep, who is a vital cog in India’s pace attack in Tests, is recovering from a back injury, while Rana underwent knee surgery earlier this year and will need time to recover. Rana suffered a ligament tear, which forced him to undergo surgery before the start of the T20 World Cup 2026.
“Akash and Harshit’s rehabilitation is on track but there is still a long way to go before they can be released to play matches. If we are talking about Afghanistan and the UK tour, there is no chance of both of them getting fit before that. They are still doing strengthening routines. After that there will be jogging, strides, sprints and then skills associated with ‘Return To Play’ (RTP) protocols,” a BCCI source was quoted as saying by PTI.
Rana, who was making rapid strides across formats with his bowling heroics, missed the bus for the T20 World Cup 2026 due to his surgery. He was also ruled out of the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026, where he was supposed to turn up for three-time champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).
Rana was roped into the Indian team after playing a key role in KKR’s IPL title triumph in 2024 and enjoyed a stellar season in 2025. He picked up 26 wickets in 14 matches in ODIs to emerge as India’s highest wicket-taker in the format in 2025. He is among India’s pace prospects for the 2027 ODI World Cup, and his fitness will be crucial for India.
Akash Deep’s comeback likely to be after Rana
As per PTI, Akash Deep’s return is likely to take more time than Rana’s comeback to competitive cricket. The Bengal pacer, who has become a mainstay in India’s Test bowling attack, has constantly been troubled by back issues in the last couple of years. Akash Deep last played for India in the Oval Test against England during the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025 in August last year.
He played three matches in the Test series and picked up 13 wickets to help India draw 2-2. Both Rana and Akash Deep might make their comeback in the Duleep Trophy, which is likely to take place in August this year.