Harshit Rana Joins India Squad for Final ODI Against Afghanistan

Harshit Rana's Return to the India Squad

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has confirmed that Harshit Rana, the Kolkata Knight Riders player, has successfully completed his rehabilitation at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (COE). He is set to join the Indian team for the final ODI in the three-match series against Afghanistan, taking place in Chennai. However, the announcement did not clarify if he will officially replace the injured Hardik Pandya. This opportunity is significant for Rana, who has been sidelined from the T20 World Cup and IPL 2026 due to knee surgery.

BCCI's official statement noted, "The Men's Selection Committee has included Mr. Harshit Rana in the India squad for the third and final ODI against Afghanistan. Mr. Rana has completed his rehabilitation at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (COE) and has joined the ODI squad in Chennai." Additionally, Rana has already been named in the Indian squad for the upcoming T20I series against Ireland and England later this month. The team management is keen on developing him as a seam-bowling all-rounder, alongside Nitish Kumar Reddy, to support veteran all-rounder Hardik Pandya. His participation in the third ODI will be crucial for gaining valuable match experience ahead of future overseas tours.

Updated squad for the third ODI against Afghanistan: Shubman Gill (Captain), Rohit Sharma, Shreyas Iyer (vice-captain), KL Rahul (wicket-keeper), Ishan Kishan (wicket-keeper), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Prince Yadav, Gurnoor Brar, Harsh Dubey, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Harshit Rana.