Bowling all-rounder Harshit Rana’s name was absent from India’s playing XI for their T20 World Cup 2026 opener against the United States of America (USA). The match kicked off at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Saturday, February 7.
Several fans wondered why Rana didn’t feature in the side for the contest. The pacer has been ruled out of the ICC event due to a knee injury. He suffered the injury during India’s warm-up match against South Africa on February 4.
The pacer bowled just one over before walking off the field. Giving an update about the 24-year-old’s injury, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) wrote in an official release:
“Team India pacer Harshit Rana has been ruled out of the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 after sustaining a knee injury during the warm-up match against South Africa in Navi Mumbai on February 4th 2026.
“Following consultations with a specialist and subsequent scans, the BCCI medical team deemed him unfit to participate in the tournament. The team management wishes him a speedy recovery.”
Mohammed Siraj was announced as Rana’s replacement in India’s squad for the T20 World Cup 2026
“The selection is right” – Aakash Chopra on Mohammed Siraj replacing the injured Harshit Rana in India’s squad
Former cricketer Aakash Chopra feels the Indian selectors did the right thing by picking Mohammed Siraj as Harshit Rana’s injury replacement. He noted that the seamer has the experience of playing in ICC events.
However, Chopra emphasized that Harshit is an all-rounder, while Siraj is not. The cricketer-turned-commentator said in his YouTube video:
“Harshit Rana has gotten injured and is out of the World Cup, and Miyan Magic has come. In 2024, he said, ‘We believe in Jassi bhai (Jasprit Bumrah).’ Maybe he will have to say the same thing again. However, what are the implications of this?
“The selection is right because Miyan Magic knows how to win these ICC events, but all-rounders, because Harshit was an all-rounder. We still don’t know anything about Washington Sundar’s injury. Injuries are one thing that is troubling India.”
Rana has played nine T20Is so far in his career and has picked up as many wickets at an economy rate of 10.60.
Edited by Aditya Suketu Desai
