Is Harshit Rana Staying Back with the Indian Test Team in England?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Harshit Rana confirmed to stay with the Indian Test team.
- Rana played with the India ‘A’ team prior to this decision.
- His inclusion in the Test squad remains uncertain.
- The Indian Test team aims for its first series win in England since 2007.
- This series is part of the 2025-27 World Test Championship cycle.
New Delhi, June 16 (NationPress) Fast-bowling all-rounder Harshit Rana is confirmed to remain with the Indian Test team in England, according to sources who spoke to IANS. Rana had been playing with the India ‘A’ team in England, participating in two four-day matches against the England Lions and an intra-squad match against the Test team in Beckenham.
“Yes, after much speculation, it is now officially confirmed that Rana will stay with the Indian Test team. However, it remains unclear whether he will be formally included in the Indian Test squad prior to the series commencing on June 20,” the sources informed IANS.
Reports indicate that members of the India ‘A’ team who are not part of the main Test squad or have not secured a county deal may return home on Tuesday. In England, Rana participated in the first match against the England Lions at Canterbury, where he recorded figures of 1-99 and scored 16 runs.
Rana made his Test debut during last year’s Australia tour, where he took four wickets at an average of 50.75, with his best performance being 3-48 in Perth. He was not selected for the upcoming five-match series against England as the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee opted for Akash Deep, Arshdeep Singh, and Prasidh Krishna alongside Jaspreet Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj in the fast-bowling lineup.
Overall, the New Delhi-based Rana has an average of 27.79 with the ball in 13 first-class matches, claiming 48 wickets. With the bat, he averages 32.80, featuring a century and two fifties in his record.
Under the leadership of Shubman Gill, India is striving to secure a Test series victory in England for the first time since 2007. This five-match Test series, set to take place at Headingley, Edgbaston, Lord’s, Old Trafford, and The Oval, marks India’s initial challenge in the 2025-27 World Test Championship (WTC) cycle.