Harshit Rana has been added to India’s squad for the first Test in England, according to Abhishek Tripathi.
The 23-year-old fast-bowling all-rounder was already in England with the India ‘A’ team and has now officially joined the main squad which has 19 players.
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The report says Rana was picked as a backup option because Jasprit Bumrah may not play all five Tests. India want to manage Bumrah’s workload and keep more pace options ready.
The same report also mentions that India may go with 6 proper batsmen and 5 specialist bowlers — 4 pacers and 1 spinner.
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So no all-rounder in the playing XI. Clearly India is going for a pace-heavy attack for the Leeds Test starting June 20.
As soon as the update came out, fans on social media reacted strongly. Many questioned why Harshit Rana was picked over others with more experience.
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“They want 6 proper batsmen and 5 proper bowlers — does it mean no all-rounder??”
“The most overhyped and biggest quota player of all time.”
Some fans even joked:
“Harshit Rana is GGs favourite. He can drop Bumrah for Rana.”
The reactions show that many fans believe his selection was based on favoritism, not performance.
Rana recently played a match against England Lions in Canterbury. He gave away 99 runs for 1 wicket and scored 16 runs.
Earlier this year he made his Test debut in Australia, picked 4 wickets in 2 matches. His best was 3/48 in Perth.
In domestic cricket he has played 13 first-class games, taken 48 wickets at an average of 27.79. He has also scored a century and two fifties, with a batting average of 32.80.
This will be India’s first Test series under new captain Shubman Gill and also the start of their World Test Championship 2025–27 cycle.
India haven’t won a Test series in England since 2007 and this time they are going with a pace-first strategy.
But with Rana’s selection drawing criticism, all eyes will be on whether he gets a place in the playing XI — and if he does, how he performs.
