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Young pacer Harshit Rana has been released from India’s Test squad just days before the second Test against England in Birmingham. The decision, coming hot on the heels of India’s five-wicket defeat in the first Test at Leeds, has inevitably raised questions about the team’s selection strategy and their precise plans for the remainder of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy series.
The unexpected development signals a renewed focus on the fitness of India’s frontline pace battery as they look to rebound from a disappointing start to the series.
Harshit Rana’s brief stint with the Indian team
Harshit Rana, a 23-year-old fast bowler, had been a late inclusion to the Test squad, drafted in as a precautionary measure prior to the first Test. His call-up was necessitated by a minor injury concern that surfaced within India’s primary pace attack. Head coach Gautam Gambhir had earlier clarified the rationale behind Rana’s initial presence, stating, “there was a bit of a niggle in the group. That is why we wanted him as a backup.”
Rana’s background included a stint with the India A squad, where he had featured in an unofficial Test against England Lions at Canterbury. He was considered a bowler capable of hitting the deck hard, potentially offering a bouncer-heavy option if conditions or strategy demanded it.
However, Rana’s recent performances had been modest. In the aforementioned unofficial match against England Lions, he managed only one wicket while conceding 99 runs across 27 overs. His prior Test outings, notably in Australia, had yielded a tally of just four wickets at an average of 50.75. Despite this recent form, his initial selection as the 19th member of the squad had surprised many observers, particularly given the availability of other pacers like Mukesh Kumar and Anshul Kamboj.
Reason behind Harshit Rana’s swift exit
The straightforward reason behind Rana’s swift exit from the squad is the timely resolution of the injury concerns that prompted his inclusion. Once the fitness of India’s frontline pacers was thoroughly assessed and confirmed, the team management concluded that Rana’s services as an emergency backup were no longer necessary. Consequently, he did not travel with the rest of the squad to Birmingham and was sent back to India directly from Leeds.
A Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) source confirmed the situation to IANS, stating, “Harshit Rana has been released from the squad. He hasn’t travelled with the Indian squad to Birmingham for the second Test starting July 2.” Coach Gambhir further corroborated this, emphasizing, “At the moment, everything looks fine, so if everyone is fine, he would have to fly back.” This clarifies that his role was strictly temporary and contingent upon the health of the main squad members.
It is crucial to note that Rana’s release is not indicative of any issues related to his performance or any disciplinary matters. From the outset, his role was specifically defined as an emergency backup. With the primary squad’s health now restored, his presence was simply not required for the upcoming second Test. This distinction is important to prevent undue speculation regarding the young pacer’s standing or future prospects within the national setup.
Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj, among others, are now expected to shoulder the significant burden of leading India’s attack in the remainder of the Test series. Their ability to deliver crucial breakthroughs and contain England’s aggressive batting will be paramount as India aims to level the series at Birmingham. The focus now shifts entirely to the performance of these experienced campaigners to turn the tide in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy.
