India’s T20 World Cup preparations have hit an awkward bump. All-rounder Harshit Rana tweaked his left thigh during Wednesday’s warm-up against South Africa in Navi Mumbai, bowled a solitary over and then hobbled off. By Thursday evening the dressing-room mood was best summed up by captain Suryakumar Yadav: “He is not ruled out yet … but it doesn’t look good, it’s not that great.”
The medical team will give its final report today, a little more than 24 hours before India open their campaign against the USA at Wankhede on Saturday. “He’s being assessed by the physios,” Suryakumar explained. “Today we’ll know what’s going to happen.”
If Rana is sidelined, India still have cover. Axar Patel, already pencilled in to bat at No 8, can slide straight into the XI, while Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh remain the two frontline quicks. That said, losing Rana would rob the side of a handy lower-order hitter and a third seamer who can bowl at the death – precisely the dual-skill package the selectors wanted when they named their 15.
Suryakumar admitted the setback complicates the finely-tuned balance of the squad. “It’s a big blow, obviously, because you make a squad of 15 players with a lot of combinations in mind,” he said, managing a smile before adding: “Don’t worry, we have 11 players for tomorrow.” The skipper stressed that alternative line-ups have already been sketched out for every possible opponent. “If we miss him, we will definitely miss him,” he added, “but we have enough players, enough combinations.”
Rana played three of the five T20Is against New Zealand in January, a series India won 4-1, and was viewed as a rising seam-bowling option who deepens the batting. The 25-year-old’s ability to hit a heavy ball at the death impressed the coaching staff, even if his international numbers remain a work in progress.
Should the physios rule him out for the tournament, India would be allowed to draft in a replacement, though the management are hopeful it will not come to that. For now, they wait – fingers crossed, plans in pencil, World Cup start line looming.
