India’s preparations for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 have encountered a setback as fast bowler Harshit Rana is likely to miss the tournament due to an injury. Reports indicate that Rana has been ruled out following a fitness assessment, which has prompted the national selectors to seek a replacement quickly.
The Indian team management learned about Rana’s condition on Thursday evening. Initial hopes that the injury was not serious have since diminished, with evaluations confirming he will not participate in the major event.
Harshit Rana’s Injury: Mohammed Siraj Likely Replacement
Since Rana is unlikely to recover in time, Mohammed Siraj has emerged as the top candidate to replace him in India’s T20 World Cup squad. Siraj’s experience across formats and his ability in crucial International matches make him a suitable option for the team management.
A formal announcement by the selectors is anticipated soon, likely before India’s next group-stage match. Siraj’s addition would enhance India’s pace attack, which is important given the rigorous schedule and conditions during the tournament.
Suryakumar Yadav Comments on Rana’s Injury
India’s captain, Suryakumar Yadav, initially downplayed the concerns when addressing the media. At a pre-match press conference, he noted that Rana had not been officially ruled out, although the situation did not look promising.
“Harshit Rana hasn’t been ruled out yet. Physios are assessing him, but he doesn’t look good,” Suryakumar stated, acknowledging the uncertainty surrounding the pacer’s availability. When discussing the potential impact of Rana’s absence, the captain recognized it as a setback, but expressed confidence in the team’s depth to find a suitable replacement among the available fast bowlers.
Rana’s injury was noticeable during a warm-up match against South Africa, where he struggled with his run-up. He halted his delivery stride twice in one over, clearly in discomfort, and was later seen holding his knee in pain before exiting the field.
The fast bowler bowled just one over, conceding 16 runs, before his appearance was cut short. This incident quickly raised concerns among the team staff, prompting further medical assessments.
India Prepares to Face USA in T20 World Cup 2026 as Defending Champions
Despite the injury challenge, defending champions India will shift their focus to the opening match against the United States, scheduled for Saturday, February 7, at the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
As the tournament kicks off with a match between Pakistan and the Netherlands, attention will be on how quickly India can finalize Rana’s replacement and whether Siraj can integrate smoothly into the squad for their T20 World Cup title defense.
