The Indian squad for the upcoming Test series against England, led by Shubman Gill and announced last month by Ajit Agarkar’s selection committee, may not be final after all. Fast bowler Harshit Rana, who was not included in the original squad, has reportedly been asked to remain in England after completing his commitments with the India A team.
Rana, who made his Test debut earlier this year during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, featured in two unofficial Tests for India A against the England Lions and also played in a practice match against the senior Indian team ahead of the series starting in four days.
As per RevSportz, while the rest of the India A team is flying back to India on Tuesday, June 17, Rana has been instructed to stay back in England. However, it is not yet clear whether he has been officially added to the main squad or is just being kept as a standby option.
Harshit Rana Takes One Wicket in Unofficial Test Amid County Interest Buzz Around India A Players
In the first unofficial Test in Canterbury against the James Rew-led England Lions, Harshit Rana picked up just one wicket—Josh Hull—while conceding 99 runs. Some players from the India A squad have reportedly received interest from County teams, though it remains uncertain if Rana’s case is similar.
The current pace attack selected by the Agarkar-led panel includes Prasidh Krishna, Arshdeep Singh, Akash Deep, Shardul Thakur, along with mainstays Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj. Nitish Kumar Reddy has been chosen as the only pace-bowling all-rounder.
Notably, Mohammed Shami—who recently returned to action after a long injury layoff—was not picked for this tour. Rana, too, was left out despite playing the first two Tests in Australia, where he took 3/48 in his debut match in Perth.
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