Harshit Rana’s participation in the T20 World Cup is in jeopardy following an injury sustained during a warm-up match. This incident occurred on February 4 against South Africa in Navi Mumbai. Captain Suryakumar Yadav expressed concerns about Rana’s condition, stating, “He doesn’t look good.” After bowling only one over, Rana exited the game and was later seen with a strapping on his thigh.
Injury Update and Assessment
The final decision regarding Rana’s availability is expected soon, with Suryakumar indicating that an assessment by the physios is underway. “He’s being assessed by the physios. But I think, today we’ll know what’s going to happen,” he added.
Team Preparations and Replacements
- Suryakumar remains hopeful, stating, “He is not ruled out yet.”
- If Rana cannot play, Axar Patel is anticipated to take over the No. 8 position.
- Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh are set to lead the fast bowling attack.
Despite the worry about Rana’s injury, Suryakumar reassured fans, saying, “Don’t worry, we have 11 players for tomorrow.” Nonetheless, he acknowledged the strategic implications of potentially losing Rana, saying, “It’s a big blow obviously because you make a squad of 15 players with a lot of combinations in mind.”
Rana’s Performance and Team Composition
In recent months, Rana played in three of the five T20 Internationals against New Zealand, helping India secure a 4-1 series victory. The Indian team did not name reserve players when announcing the final squad due to the nature of this home tournament.
Looking Ahead
In the event that Rana is ruled out, the team will seek a replacement, prioritizing a player who can also bat, although this is not a strict requirement. Other fast-bowling options in the squad include allrounders Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube.
Rana, aged 24, has demonstrated his worth by contributing significantly from the No. 8 position, highlighted by his impressive 52 off 43 during a recent ODI chase against New Zealand. “We have a few options but we will pick the best one,” Suryakumar concluded, underlining the team’s commitment to adapting their strategy as needed.
