India cricket team pacer Mohammed Siraj has replaced Harshit Rana in the T20 World Cup 2026 squad, with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirming that the Delhi pacer has been ruled out of the tournament due to injury. Rana sustained a knee injury during India’s only warm-up match ahead of the T20 World Cup against South Africa in Navi Mumbai earlier this week.
Fascinatingly, Siraj may even start from the first game against the USA as star pacer Jasprit Bumrah is likely to miss the first game due to viral fever. Read more about it here.
Siraj replaces Rana in T20 World Cup squad
Siraj, who last played a T20I in July 2024, has been officially named as Harshit Rana’s replacement in India’s squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. The decision comes after Rana was assessed by the BCCI medical team following the warm-up fixture, where he pulled up while bowling and was forced to leave the field after just one over.
Confirming the development, the BCCI released an official statement announcing Rana’s exclusion and Siraj’s inclusion in the squad.
“Harshit Rana ruled out of ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, Mohd. Siraj named as replacement. 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.
Earlier, India captain Suryakumar Yadav had indicated that the team was prepared for contingencies, stating in a pre-tournament press conference that the management had multiple fast-bowling options if Rana failed to recover in time.
Rana, who has played nine T20Is for India and picked up nine wickets, was expected to play a key role in the bowling attack, especially with Jasprit Bumrah not featuring in the warm-up match. However, his tournament ended prematurely when he clutched his knee mid-over against South Africa and did not return to the field.
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