Harshit Rana mystery ends as BCCI confirms addition, pacer pips Anshul Kamboj to earn last-minute India squad selection

Harshit Rana has been officially added to the squad and has travelled to Leeds with the Indian team.

Fast bowler Harshit Rana has joined the Indian Test squad in Leeds ahead of the opening match of the five-Test series against England starting June 20. While Rana was initially not named in India’s original 18-man squad, he was added to the squad late on Tuesday and has travelled with the team from London to Headingley. It is unsure whether he will stay with the squad after the opening Test.

India's Harshit Rana during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (AP)

The 23-year-old Delhi pacer was part of the India A setup and recently featured in the unofficial Tests against the England Lions, including the intra-squad match held at Beckenham. He was also seen exiting Leeds station alongside the rest of the squad on Tuesday.

Earlier, there were reports that Anshul Kamboj, who picked five wickets in two India A matches, is being looked as a probable addition to the senior squad. having impressed the selectors with his performance in the tour games. But in a last-minute reversal, Rana was confirmed to be the 19th man in the India squad.

“The Men's Selection Committee has added Harshit Rana to India's squad for the first Test in Leeds against England,” BCCI stated in a release.

“Rana, who was a part of the India A squad has linked up with the team as India begin preparations for the first Test.”

Rana, who made his debut during India’s tour of Australia last year, has featured in two Tests, five ODIs and one T20I. Despite his growing experience and promising spells in the A tours, he didn’t find a place in the initial squad for this marquee series.

India's fast bowlers

India’s main fast bowling options in the original squad included Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep and Arshdeep Singh, with Shardul Thakur and Nitish Reddy offering support as pace-bowling all-rounders. Given the packed schedule and conditions in England, the decision to include Rana appears to be precautionary, especially with the fitness of a few key players reportedly under observation.

India are gearing up to begin their new World Test Championship cycle under Shubman Gill’s leadership, which kickstarts a new era for India's red-ball cricket. This will be India's first Test series since the red-ball retirements of Ravichandran Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.