India pacer has been ruled out of the T20 World Cup 2026 due to a knee injury. Harshit got injured during the warm-up fixture against South Africa. His participation was limited in the game, having bowled only one over.
The right-arm bowler pulled out of his run-up twice while trying to bowl his second over of the match.
“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. Mohammad Siraj will join the team as Harshit’s replacement in the squad,” the BCCI said in a statement.
“Harshit Rana hasn’t been ruled out yet, physios are assessing him, but he doesn’t look good,” Suryakumar told reporters in Mumbai on Friday ahead of India’s opening match against USA. earlier
“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 had added.
The ICC’s technical committee had approved Siraj as Rana’s replacement, and the senior pacer is expected to join the Indian squad before their T20 World Cup opener against the USA. Siraj, who was part of India’s title-winning squad of the World Cup two years back, hasn’t played a T20I since July 2025.
India will play their opening match against the USA at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on February 7.
India’s updated squad: Suryakumar Yadav (C), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (WK), Ishan Kishan (WK), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel (VC), Rinku Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy, Washington Sundar, Mohd. Siraj
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