India’s T20 World Cup 2026 opener against USA has been overshadowed by Harshit Rana’s injury blow. The Delhi pacer has been ruled out after hurting his knee in a warm-up match, prompting the BCCI to call up Mohammed Siraj. India, still tournament favourites, are working on new bowling and batting combinations.
India’s preparations for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 suffered a setback just a day before their first match against USA. Harshit Rana, who impressed in 2025 with his pace and lower-order batting ability, sustained a knee injury during the warm-up clash against South Africa. He bowled only one over before limping off, forcing selectors to make a quick decision.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed Mohammed Siraj as Rana’s replacement. Siraj, returning to the T20I setup after two years, brings experience and aggression, but his inclusion also raises questions about India’s bowling balance.
Key Highlights
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India open their campaign against USA on February 7 in Mumbai, aiming to start strong despite the setback
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Harshit Rana’s injury occurred during the warm-up against South Africa, where he conceded 16 runs in his only over before leaving the field
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Mohammed Siraj has been drafted in as replacement, marking his comeback to the shortest format after a two-year gap
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Rana was seen as a flexible squad option, offering depth in both pace bowling and lower-order batting, which India will now miss
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Team management is expected to experiment with combinations, possibly pairing Siraj with Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh to maintain pace variety
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India remain tournament favourites, with their batting lineup led by Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Suryakumar Yadav, but bowling strategies will be closely watched
India’s campaign narrative now hinges on how quickly they adapt to this change. While Rana’s absence is a blow to squad depth, Siraj’s fiery spells could provide the spark India need to dominate early in the tournament.
Sources: Mint, News18, AP Reports