Fri Feb 06 17:15:58 UTC 2026: ### India’s Harshit Rana Ruled Out of T20 World Cup, Mohammed Siraj Named Replacement
The Story:
Indian seamer Harshit Rana has been sidelined from the Twenty20 World Cup due to a knee injury sustained during a warm-up match against South Africa on Wednesday. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the news on Friday, confirming that Mohammed Siraj will replace Rana in the squad. Rana, who had also developed into a useful lower-order batter, bowled just one over in the warm-up before being forced to leave the field.
Key Points:
- Harshit Rana ruled out of the T20 World Cup due to a knee injury.
- The injury occurred during a warm-up match against South Africa on Wednesday.
- Mohammed Siraj named as Rana’s replacement.
- Suryakumar Yadav, the captain, acknowledged Rana’s absence as a blow but expressed confidence in the squad’s depth.
- Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh are likely to share the new-ball duties.
Key Takeaways:
- Injuries can significantly impact team composition and strategy in major tournaments.
- Squad depth is crucial for managing unexpected setbacks during a World Cup.
- Mohammed Siraj’s inclusion strengthens India’s pace bowling options.
- The timing of Rana’s injury, just before the tournament, is particularly unfortunate.
- India’s aim to be the first team to successfully defend their T20 World Cup title faces an early challenge.
First Piper 