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Siraj Replaces Injured Rana in India's T20 World Cup Squad

Pacer Harshit Rana has been ruled out of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup due to a knee injury sustained during a warm-up match against South Africa. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed Mohammed Siraj as his replacement in the squad. Rana's exit, coupled with existing doubts over Washington Sundar's fitness, deepens India's injury concerns as defending champions. Siraj, a Test regular, last played a T20I for India in July 2024.

Key Points: Siraj Replaces Injured Harshit Rana in India T20 WC Squad

  • Harshit Rana ruled out with knee injury
  • Mohammed Siraj named as replacement
  • Injury occurred in warm-up vs South Africa
  • Adds to India's pre-tournament fitness concerns
2 min read

Mohammed Siraj replaces Harshit Rana in India's T20 World Cup squad as latter ruled out due to injury

Mohammed Siraj joins India's T20 World Cup squad as a replacement for the injured Harshit Rana. Get the latest squad update and injury details.

"Team India pacer Harshit Rana has been ruled out... Mohd. Siraj will join the team as Harshit's replacement. - BCCI Statement"

Mumbai, February 6

Mohammed Siraj was roped in as a replacement for pacer Harshit Rana, who has now been ruled out of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup due to a knee injury sustained during the warm-up clash against South Africa.

A statement from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) said, "Team India pacer Harshit Rana has been ruled out of the upcoming ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 after sustaining a knee injury during the warm-up match against South Africa in Navi Mumbai on February 4th 2026."

"Following consultations with a specialist and subsequent scans, the BCCI medical team deemed him unfit to participate in the tournament. The team management wishes him a speedy recovery. Mohd. Siraj will join the team as Harshit's replacement in the squad," added the statement.

The 24-year-old Delhi pacer managed just one over during the warm-up, giving away 16 runs, and played no further role in the match. Earlier in the match, Rana also batted for the Men in Blue, facing just one ball. With doubts already looming over spin-bowling all-rounder Washington Sundar's fitness, Rana's exit from India's campaign further deepens the defending champions' concerns ahead of the global event.

Rana has so far featured in nine T20Is for the Men in Blue. In those nine matches, the bowling all-rounder has scored 57 runs at an average of 28.5, with the highest score of 35. He has also scalped nine wickets at an average of 33.0 with the best figures of 3/33.

On the other hand, Siraj, a Test cricket mainstay for India, last played a T20I for India against Sri Lanka in Pallekele back in July 2024. He has taken 14 wickets in 16 matches at an average of 32.28, with an economy rate of 7.79 and best figures of 4/17.

India's updated squad: Suryakumar Yadav (C), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (WK), Ishan Kishan (WK), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel (VC), Rinku Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy, Washington Sundar, Mohd. Siraj.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

A
Ananya R
Injuries are part of the game, but two players potentially out before the tournament even starts? First Washington Sundar's fitness doubts, now Rana. Our bench strength is being tested already. Hope the management has a solid Plan B and C ready.
V
Vikram M
Siraj hasn't played a T20I since 2024. That's a long gap. Is he match-ready for the shortest format? His economy rate of nearly 8 is a bit concerning. Would have preferred someone like Avesh Khan who's been in the IPL grind.
S
Sarah B
Watching from the UK. Tough break for the young talent. Rana seemed promising. Siraj is a proven performer in pressure situations though. His experience in Australian conditions (if the World Cup is there) could be invaluable.
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Priya S
Feel so bad for Harshit! To get injured in a warm-up match of all places. All that hard work... Get well soon! On the bright side, we have Bumrah, Arshdeep, and now Siraj. That's a deadly pace attack on paper! 💙
K
Karthik V
The squad still looks balanced. Siraj adds depth. My main worry is the all-rounder slot if Washington isn't fit. Hardik and Dube will have to carry a huge load. Need Axar Patel to step up big time with both bat and ball.

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