IND vs BAN: Why Harshit Rana isn't selected in India's playing 11 for 3rd T20I

Harshit Rana is yet to make his India debut.

India are in the driver’s seat in the ongoing three-match T20I series against Bangladesh, after securing a comfortable 2-0 lead. With two convincing wins in the first two games, India have displayed their dominance, in all three departments of the game. As the team headed into the third and final T20I, many expected Harshit Rana, to get a chance. However, his absence from the playing XI raised eyebrows.

India’s dominant performances so far

India’s journey in the T20I series has been commanding. In the first T20I at Gwalior, the bowlers set the tone by restricting Bangladesh to a small total of 127, allowing the Indian batters to chase down the target with ease. The second match saw a similar dominance from the hosts, with India picking up a comfortable 86-run win.

In the final game, fans and critics alike expected India to experiment with their squad, giving young talents a go against the Bangla Tigers. Harshit Rana, with his impressive IPL performances, was expected as a potential inclusion for this game, especially after the hint dropped by Ryan Ten Doeschate in the pre-match presser.

Ten Doeschate’s hint at squad rotation

Ahead of the third T20I, India’s assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate had hinted that the team might look to test new players in the final game of the series. Ten Doeschate acknowledged the depth and talent in the squad, particularly from the younger players.

“Yeah, that was always the plan. Obviously, there’s nice depth in the squad, and a lot of guys have got IPL experience. We try to expose as many guys as we can to international experience with what we’ve got coming up. So someone like Harshit Rana we’re keen to give a game to,” Ten Doeschate said, raising expectations about Rana’s inclusion.

However, in the third T20I, Indian captain Surya Kumar Yadav confirmed that the team has only one change with Ravi Bishnoi coming in for Arshdeep Singh. Harshit’s exclusion left many wondering if the team management had change of plans in the last minute.

Here’s why Harshit Rana was not selected in the third T20I

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has put all speculation to rest by issuing an official statement explaining Harshit Rana’s unavailability. According to the update, Harshit was ruled out of the game due to a viral infection and had not even travelled with the team.

“UPDATE: Mr. Harshit Rana was unavailable for selection for the third T20I due to a viral infection and did not travel with the team to the stadium,” the BCCI wrote on X.

UPDATE: Mr. Harshit Rana was unavailable for selection for the third T20I due to a viral infection and did not travel with the team to the stadium.#TeamIndia | #INDvBAN | @IDFCFIRSTBank

— BCCI (@BCCI) October 12, 2024

This statement clarified that it was not a tactical decision, but a health-related issue that kept the young pacer away from making his debut in the series

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