India cricket team pacer Mohammed Siraj will replace Harshit Rana in the T20 World Cup 2026 squad, as per reports. As per reports, the selectors are likely to name the Hyderabad pacer as the replacement by Friday evening. Rana sustained the injury during India’s only warm-up game game before the T20 World Cup 2026 against South Africa earlier this week.
Siraj to replace Rana in T20 World Cup?
Siraj, who last played a T20I back in July 2024, is expected to be named as a replacement for Rana in India’s squad for the T20 World Cup 2026, as per The Indian Express. This development comes after India captain Suryakumar Yadav had claimed that the Delhi all-rounder wasn’t ruled out of the tournament yet in the pre-event press conference. The Indian captain had said that the team has enough options to find a replacement for Rana should he ruled out.
“It’s a big blow because of the combination we make keeping in mind 15 players. If he misses out we will definitely miss him. We have enough options. We shall look at the replacements of fast bowlers that are there. We shall pick the best one. I know there is the case of someone batting at no 9 like Harshit but having said that the first 8 batsmen will do what then?! They have to bat,” he added.
Rana has played 9 T20Is for India so far and has as many wickets to his name. While playing India’s only warm-up game against South Africa on February 4, Rana pulled up while bowling. Rana was supposed to make an impact with India’s bowling, given Jasprit Bumrah’s absence from the practice game. But his stint was short-lived, as he bowled just one over before walking off the field, clutching his knee.
Cricket
Mohammed Siraj to replace injured Harshit Rana in India's T20 World Cup 2026 squad