Harshit Rana Exits T20 World Cup; Mohammed Siraj Steps In

Harshit Rana, a young fast bowler for India, has been officially ruled out of the T20 World Cup owing to a knee injury. Mohammed Siraj has been appointed as his replacement, as confirmed by the International Cricket Council (ICC) on February 6, 2026. The injury occurred during a warm-up match against South Africa on February 4, 2026, where Rana competed but managed to bowl just one over, conceding 16 runs before leaving the field due to his knee issue.

Indian team captain Suryakumar Yadav noted that the situation did not appear promising for Rana, admitting, "It does not look good" at a pre-match press conference. In his remarks, Yadav expressed concern over losing a player who was included in the squad after thorough consideration. "We have 11 players ready for the match tomorrow, but losing him is a significant setback," he stated, referring to the opening game against the USA scheduled for February 7.

Rana's performance record in T20 Internationals has shown him to be somewhat inconsistent, with an economy rate of 10.60 across nine matches. Despite not being a guaranteed starter, his skill set would have provided valuable options under particular conditions, including his capability as a lower-order batsman.

Adding to the Indian team's challenges, all-rounder Washington Sundar remains in doubt for the tournament due to a side strain coupled with a rib muscle tear. Yadav mentioned that they will evaluate other fast bowlers who have performed well over recent years while considering suitable batting options to maintain team balance. "There is no strict guideline that states we need a bowler who can bat. If a bowler is expected to deliver as a lower-order hitter, it raises questions about the other batsmen's performances," he remarked.

The team's management will need to consider available talent strategically as they prepare for their upcoming matches in the T20 World Cup, hoping to adapt effectively to the absence of key players.