New Delhi: India have been dealt with a big blow as all-rounder Harshit Rana is set to be replaced by Mohammed Siraj in team’s squad for the T20 World Cup 2026. Earlier it was being learnt that Rana might take to the field in the marquee event beginning February 7 as he was recovering from an injury but as per a report in The Indian Express, Siraj is likely to be roped in.
Till Thursday evening, the Indian team management and selectors were hopeful that he might get match fit before the event but the team management was informed about his problems after the evening. The Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav was hopeful about his recovery during a press conference earlier in the day as he said that the all-rounder has yet not been rule out but the report in The Indian Express suggests that he is not fit to play the showpiece event.
‘Harshit Rana hasn’t been ruled out yet, physios are assessing him but he doesn’t look good,’ Surya had said in a pre match conference where India face USA in their World Cup opener.
How did Rana pick an injury?
Harshit Rana’s injury occurred during India’s T20 World Cup warm-up match against South Africa on February 4, when he was forced to abandon his bowling spell after twice pulling out of his run-up. The right-arm fast bowler left the field with a deep pain in his knee, having bowled just one over that went for 16 runs.
Meanwhile ahead of the showpiece spectacle, India were dealt with a number of injury blows with Tilak Varma and Washington Sundar also facing the same fate. While Tilak got back to the field after recovering and also participated in the warm-up game, Sundar’s participation has also been kept on hold but he is expected to be a part of the team, perhaps in the later stages.