India has strengthened its pace attack for the first Test against England at Headingley, Leeds, by adding fast-bowling all-rounder Harshit Rana to the mix. The five-game series is set to kick off on June 20, 2025.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced Rana's inclusion in the team in a Tuesday night release.
"The Men's Selection Committee has included Harshit Rana in India's team for the first Test against England in Leeds. Rana, who was with the India A team, has joined the team as India kickstarts preparations for the first Test," the statement read.
The 22-year-old bowler was already with England with the India A team, playing two four-day games against the England Lions and also playing an intra-squad match with the senior squad in Beckenham. As reported previously by IANS, Rana was likely to stay on with the senior team, and the move has now been made official.
Rana played his Test debut last year in Australia but had a decent first outing, picking up only four wickets in a three-match Test series at an average of 50.75. His best performance was in Perth, where he picked up 3/48. Even though he was left out of the initial team for the England series, the Ajit Agarkar-headed selection committee has invited him in after his recent performances and all-round talent.
In Test cricket, Rana has played 13 games, taking 48 wickets at a rate of 27.79. He has also impressed with the bat with an average of 32.80, featuring one hundred and two half-centuries.
The Indian fast bowling department already features experienced names such as Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj, as well as Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, and Arshdeep Singh. Rana's presence adds more depth and variety to the team.
Updated India Squad for 1st Test against England:
Shubman Gill (Captain), Rishabh Pant (Vice-captain & WK), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Karun Nair, Nitish Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel (WK), Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana
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