Harshit Rana Ruled Out of the T20 World Cup a Day After Playing Warm-Up Game Against South Africa

Harshit Rana's injury leaves India short of an all-rounder, relying on Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, and Washington Sundar.

Harshit Rana Ruled Out of the T20 World Cup a Day After Playing Warm-Up Game Against South Africa

Harshit Rana is out of the T20 World Cup with a knee injury. (via Hindustan Times)

Bad news for India just a day ahead of the start of the 2026 T20 World Cup, as star pacer Harshit Rana has been ruled out of the tournament. The 24-year-old sustained a knee injury during a warm-up match, which has ended his chances of playing in the T20 World Cup.

Harshit Rana hobbled off the pitch during India’s T20 World Cup warm-up game against South Africa at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai, which the Men in Blue went on to win by 30 runs. He found himself struggling while bowling the fifth over of the second innings, which went for 16 runs. Rana had to stop twice after pulling out of his run-up, before he departed the pitch while clutching his knee in pain.

Rana was assessed by the medical staff a day later, with reports showing swelling and tenderness along the lateral joint line in his right knee. The fast bowler underwent scans under the watchful eye of Dr. Dinshaw Pardiwala, who later confirmed that he had sustained a lateral meniscus tear. It means that the 24-year-old has effectively been ruled out of the 2026 T20 World Cup, after being advised to undergo surgery.

The KKR pacer’s absence could be a big loss for the team. Rana has seen a rise in stakes over the past few months, overcoming the initial criticism that he faced over allegations of favoritism by Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir. In the nine T20Is that he has played so far, Rana has picked up nine scalps at an average of 33, adding to the immense wealth of IPL experience that he holds under his belt. 

Rana is valued, not only as a front-line pacer, but as an all-rounder who can chip in with crucial runs down the order. While the BCCI is yet to release an official statement on the severity of his injury, T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav, on the eve of India’s WC opener against USA, confirmed the development. Yadav shared that while Rana has not been ruled out completely, he is unfit and not in good shape.

Harshit [Rana] does not look good. We will know today. If Harshit is ruled out, it will be a big blow. We will have to look at other combinations. But we have enough bench strength.

India are also without the services of Washington Sundar, as news awaits for the all-rounder’s availability for the T20 World Cup. Sundar had missed out on playing for the Men in Blue during the recently concluded white-ball series against New Zealand. 

Harshit Rana out injured, Mohammed Siraj set for T20 World Cup call-up

Mohammed Siraj is expected to replace Harshit Rana in India’s 2026 T20 World Cup squad, with the latter forced out due to an untimely knee injury. Siraj was last seen in action in the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy, where he led Hyderabad in their final league stage game against Chattisgarh. 

Harshit Rana Mohammed Siraj replacement
Mohammed Siraj is expected to replace Harshit Rana in India’s T20 World Cup squad. (via India Today)

For many, Harshit Rana’s injury could be a blessing in disguise for Mohammed Siraj. While a regular in the Indian Test and ODI setup, Siraj has however, not played a T20I since he last featured in a match against Sri Lanka in 2024. The 31-year-old’s inclusion in the squad will have to be approved by the ICC’s Technical Committee, following which he will then be eligible to join the squad in Mumbai. 

Captain Suryakumar Yadav had also hinted that the team would pick a replacement for Rana. So far, Siraj has only played 16 T20Is for India, picking up 14 wickets at an average of 32.28 while giving runs away at an economy rate of 7.79, including one four-wicket haul. Overall, in T20s throughout his career, he boasts a tally of 183 wickets at an average of 25.92, including six five-wicket hauls. 

Mohammed Siraj might not make his way into the playing XI straightaway, with Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh ahead of him. Apart from the 31-year-old veteran pacer, Khaleel Ahmed, and Prasidh Krishna are the other options who could be picked. 

Read More: