Selectors Finally Turn Back to a Neglected Star After Harshit Rana Setback

The T20 World Cup is starting tomorrow, and the Indian team has made a massive change to its line-up. Harshit Rana has now been ruled out of the tournament due to a knee injury. And in his place, the team has added a player who last played a T20I game after the T20 World Cup 2024.

The T20 World Cup starts tomorrow, with the Indian team going against the USA. Right before the commencement of the tournament, India has suffered a setback. One of their key bowlers, Harshit Rana, has now been ruled out of the tournament due to a knee injury. And at this time, the Indian team also had to look for a replacement.

With the Indian team having depth in their bowling line-up, it didn't take much time to find the best possible replacement for Harshit Rana. And it is Mohammed Siraj, one of India's key bowlers in the ODI and Test formats. Siraj was excluded from the T20I side for more than a year, before being included to the line-up.

1. Harshit Rana’s Injury

It was unclear to the fans and team whether Harshit Rana will be available to play or not. He suffered with a niggle in the game against South Africa, which was also a warm-up game. Due to this reason, he didn't bowl much in the game and eventually the skipper also hinted at his availability.

Suryakumar Yadav said, “He is still not ruled out but looks doubtful. We will know by evening. He had a niggle during the warm-up game on Wednesday (versus South Africa at DY Patil Stadium in Mumbai) but the situation is not very encouraging.” Now as India takes on USA in the opening game, Harshit Rana is likely to be out of the tournament.

It is also being reported that the scans have confirmed a lateral meniscus tear. Due to this reason, Harshit Rana will now be going through a surgery and will be out for a considerable period of time. There were also tensions regarding who could possibly replace Harshit Rana if he is made unavailable for the tournament.

Suryakumar Yadav said, “We will look at which fast bowlers have performed well over the last one or two years, rather than focusing on bowlers who can bat. If you are expecting a No. 9 to hit out, then what are the top eight doing? We will try to pick the best option if Harshit Rana’s replacement is needed.”

2. Siraj’s Comeback

The injury of Harshit Rana has allowed Mohammed Siraj to make his comeback. Ever since India won the T20 World Cup 2024, he has not been a part of the Indian team in the T20I side. He only played the series against Sri Lanka, but since then, he was not even a part of the squad.

And now, after almost 1.5 years, Mohammed Siraj makes his comeback to the Indian T20I side. He is reported to join the Indian team by tomorrow, and added to the squad as a replacement for Harshit Rana. If Siraj plays this game, it will be for the first time since the T20 World Cup 2024 that Bumrah and Siraj will be bowling together in a limited overs game.

Mohammed Siraj in IPL 2025:

• Innings: 15
• Overs: 57
• Wickets: 16
• Average: 32.93
• Economy: 9.24
• Four-wicket Hauls: 1

It should be noted that Siraj also dominated for the Gujarat Titans in the IPL 2025. He was released by the Royal Challengers Bengaluru, and brought by Gujarat Titans before the IPL 2025 edition. Siraj performed well for Gujarat in this season, and he also bowled the most dot balls of the season. This had strengthened his chances to make a comeback.

3. Siraj's Last T20I Series

Mohammed Siraj last played for India in the T20I series against Sri Lanka. This series was the one played after the T20 World Cup, and Siraj was one of the primary bowlers of the team. His last ODI game also came out to be well, as he bowled 3 overs and conceded just 11 runs in them. What's more interesting about this game was the fact that Sri Lanka were chasing 138 runs only.

Mohammed Siraj in Sri Lanka T20I:

• Innings: 3
• Overs: 9
• Wickets: 1
• Average: 61
• Economy: 6.77

He started off the first T20I well, by taking a wicket and conceding 23 runs in three overs. But in the second game, he went wicketless and even conceded 27 runs. So, out of the three games played by Siraj in this T20I series, he was only able to take a wicket in the initial game. This surely raises some concern on his form, which he has likely regained to get his place back to the team.