The injury list of Team India just continues to grow. While Tilak Varma made his superb return after a surgery recently, bustling pacer Harshit Rana is the latest name that is under dark clouds. India played their only warm-up game ahead of the Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 against South Africa in Navi Mumbai on February 4. While India continued their march, Rana’s injury concern came as an unwanted guest.
Harshit Rana injury update
Defending India’s mammoth 240-run total, Rana looked uncomfortable from the start. With Jasprit Bumrah resting from the practice game, Rana was set to play a role in India’s bowling. However, he managed to send down just one over before going off the field. Rana erred in his lines but more importantly clutched his knee before hobbling towards the pavilion for help.
Bowling the fifth over, Rana stopped in his strides on a couple of occasions as he felt some trouble in his run-up. However, he completed his over and leaked 16 runs off it against Aiden Markram and Ryan Rickelton.
Without compromising on his injury, Rana rightfully went off the field. While the BCCI hasn’t shared any updates yet, Rana can take a couple of days to recover. The concern has only grown with India still keeping a close watch on Washington Sundar, who picked up an injury in the first ODI against New Zealand and has not yet linked up with the World Cup squad. With India starting their campaign on February 7, the team will be anxiously waiting for clarity on the fitness of both players.
As for Sundar, he was set to have a bowling test at the BCCI CoE on February 4. Both Rana and Sundar weren’t touted to start for India anyways. With Jasprit Bumrah, Axar Patel and Arshdeep Singh in the lineup, India would’ve gone with the three specialists. Sundar might have come against a team that would boast a number of lefties. Meanwhile, Rana has been in the team to offer some batting at No. 8 if India need to drop Arshdeep or rest Bumrah anytime.
