Why Harshit Rana has been asked to join Indian squad for the last IND vs AFG ODI? Revealed
(Courtesy : BCCI)
Harshit Rana was not named in the Indian squad for the three-match IND vs AFG ODI series.
India gear up to face Afghanistan in the first of three ODIs, scheduled on June 13 in Dharamshala. This is the first time India play Afghanistan in an ODI bilateral series, prior to this every time India faced them in ODIs was either in the Asia Cup or the World Cup.
Shubman Gill and Co. will also start their preparations for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2027 from this series, setting their combinations in place, and rebuilding the group. Three new additions in the side – Gurnoor Brar, Prince Yadav and Harsh Dubey, also point to the same motive of preparing the team ahead of the big tournament.
Injury concerns have troubled the team, with Virat Kohli being ruled out of the series due to a hamstring injury, and has been replaced by Yashasvi Jaiswal in the squad. Meanwhile, Jasprit Bumrah has been rested due to workload management. Hardik Pandya is reported to have sustained a quadricep injury.
Harshit Rana to join Indian team for third ODI against Afghanistan in Chennai
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As reported by the Times of India, Harshit Rana is likely to join the Indian squad ahead of the third IND vs AFG ODI clash. The match is scheduled on June 20 in Chennai, and Rana is set to be cleared by the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) by June 17.
“The team management offered Harshit the opportunity to join the team earlier in the series, but it was decided that he needed more practice at the CoE. He has been bowling nine to ten overs every day and has been able to maintain his intensity. He is also working very hard on his batting. He will most likely be officially cleared by the CoE on June 17 and will travel to Chennai immediately,” a BCCI source told TOI
Harshit Rana had missed the IPL 2026 and T20 World Cup 2026 prior to that, due to his knee surgery. In the last ODI that he played against New Zealand, he took a 3-wicket haul and also scored a half century while chasing a mammoth total of 338. Although India lost that match, but his performances stood out.
Rana has been selected for the two-match series against Ireland and five-match series against England. He has also been named in the 16-member squad for the Asian Games. It remains to be seen when will he make a comeback.
When will India vs Afghanistan ODI series start?
IND vs AFG ODI series will begin from June 13 at Dharamshala.
When is India’s next T20I series?
India will play Ireland on June 26 in their next T20I match.
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