IND vs AFG: Harshit Rana added to India squad for third ODI against Afghanistan
Harshit Rana has been added to India's squad for the third and final ODI against Afghanistan after completing his rehabilitation at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE). The fast bowler has joined the team in Chennai ahead of the series finale.
India pacer Harshit Rana has been added to the squad for the third and final ODI against Afghanistan in Chennai after completing his rehabilitation at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE). Rana, who has recovered from a knee injury, linked up with the Indian squad ahead of the final match of the three-ODI series at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Saturday, June 20.
The 24-year-old had been ruled out of the 2026 T20 World Cup after suffering a knee injury during India's warm-up match against South Africa in Navi Mumbai. The setback also forced the Kolkata Knight Riders all-rounder to miss the entire IPL 2026 season. India, however, went on to lift the T20 World Cup title in his absence.
While Rana has been added to the ODI squad, his inclusion is primarily aimed at helping him reintegrate into the international setup following a lengthy spell on the sidelines. He has already been named in India's squad for the upcoming T20I tours of Ireland and England later this month.
The team management views Rana as a long-term seam-bowling all-rounder option and is keen on developing him alongside Nitish Kumar Reddy as part of India's succession planning. Both players are being groomed as potential backups to Hardik Pandya in the white-ball formats.
India have already secured the ODI series against Afghanistan after taking an unassailable 2-0 lead. The hosts have outclassed Afghanistan with both bat and ball, with several young players making a strong impression.
With a busy international calendar ahead, including the T20I series in Ireland and England and the Asian Games, the Indian team management could opt to rest some senior players and provide opportunities to members of the extended squad in the final ODI.
India squad for third ODI against Afghanistan: Shubman Gill (captain), Rohit Sharma, Shreyas Iyer (vice-captain), KL Rahul (wicketkeeper), Ishan Kishan (wicketkeeper), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Prince Yadav, Gurnoor Brar, Harsh Dubey, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Harshit Rana.
India pacer Harshit Rana has been added to the squad for the third and final ODI against Afghanistan in Chennai after completing his rehabilitation at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE). Rana, who has recovered from a knee injury, linked up with the Indian squad ahead of the final match of the three-ODI series at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Saturday, June 20.
The 24-year-old had been ruled out of the 2026 T20 World Cup after suffering a knee injury during India's warm-up match against South Africa in Navi Mumbai. The setback also forced the Kolkata Knight Riders all-rounder to miss the entire IPL 2026 season. India, however, went on to lift the T20 World Cup title in his absence.
While Rana has been added to the ODI squad, his inclusion is primarily aimed at helping him reintegrate into the international setup following a lengthy spell on the sidelines. He has already been named in India's squad for the upcoming T20I tours of Ireland and England later this month.
The team management views Rana as a long-term seam-bowling all-rounder option and is keen on developing him alongside Nitish Kumar Reddy as part of India's succession planning. Both players are being groomed as potential backups to Hardik Pandya in the white-ball formats.
India have already secured the ODI series against Afghanistan after taking an unassailable 2-0 lead. The hosts have outclassed Afghanistan with both bat and ball, with several young players making a strong impression.
With a busy international calendar ahead, including the T20I series in Ireland and England and the Asian Games, the Indian team management could opt to rest some senior players and provide opportunities to members of the extended squad in the final ODI.
India squad for third ODI against Afghanistan: Shubman Gill (captain), Rohit Sharma, Shreyas Iyer (vice-captain), KL Rahul (wicketkeeper), Ishan Kishan (wicketkeeper), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Prince Yadav, Gurnoor Brar, Harsh Dubey, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Harshit Rana.
