ENG vs IND: Harshit Rana released from India squad ahead of 2nd test in Birmingham - Reports

Harshit Rana was added to the Indian squad ahead of the first test against England.

Indian Cricket Team fast bowler Harshit Rana has been released from the squad ahead of the second test of the five-match test series against the England Cricket Team. The match between the two teams is all set to take place from 2nd July at Edgbaston, Birmingham. 

Harshit Rana, who was part of the India A team, was added to the senior team ahead of the first test match, which took place at Headingley in Leeds. As per the reports in the Times of India, it is learned that Rana didn’t board the bus with the rest of the Indian team, who headed to Birmingham. 

The report also claimed that the Indian team departed for Birmingham around 11:30 AM local time and will reach their destination in around three hours. While the rest of the squad members were in the bus, Harshit Rana will now fly back home to India.

There was a bit of a niggle in the group, that is why we wanted him as a backup – Gautam Gambhir on Harshit Rana

After the first test match, India head coach Gautam Gambhir revealed why Harshit Rana was added to the team. He claimed that they had niggle issue in the group and hence they wanted a back up. Speaking to reporters, he said: 

“I haven’t spoken to the chairman selector; I will speak to the chairman of selectors because there was a bit of a niggle in the group. That is why we wanted him as a backup. But at the moment, everything looks fine, so if everyone is fine, he would have to fly back.”

After Harshit Rana was added to the team for the first test, head coach Gautam Gambhir faced a lot of criticism. This was because he didn’t do any good in the India A games, and despite that he got nod ahead of Anshul Kamboj, Khaleel Ahmed and Mukesh Kumar, who did a decent job there. 

Coming to the first ENG vs IND test, the Shubman Gill-led side had a disappointing outing. Despite five centuries coming from the Indian batters across two innings, they failed to win the match. England easily chased down the target of 371 runs and went 1-0 up in the series.

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