Mumbai, Feb 7: Young Indian pacer Harshit Rana was ruled out of the T20 World Cup on Friday due to a right knee injury, with Mohammed Siraj named as his replacement.
Rana picked up the injury during Tuesday’s warm-up against South Africa, bowling just one over (conceding 16 runs) before hobbling off. Skipper Suryakumar Yadav had hinted at the issue earlier, saying at the pre-match presser: “Harshit Rana has not been ruled out yet, the physios are assessing him but he does not look good.”
The ICC confirmed in a late Friday release: “Siraj, who has played 45 Tests, 50 ODIs and 16 T20Is, was named as a replacement after Rana was ruled out with an injury… sustained during the warm-up game against South Africa on 4 February.”
Suryakumar downplayed the blow ahead of India’s opener against the USA on Saturday: “Don’t worry, we have 11 players for tomorrow. But it obviously would be a big blow… we have enough players and combinations against all teams… but if we miss him, we will definitely miss him.”
Though not a guaranteed starter (9 T20Is, economy 10.60), the 24-year-old Gautam Gambhir protégé offered pace and lower-order hitting. All-rounder Washington Sundar is also doubtful with a side strain and rib injury.
On backups, Suryakumar said: “We will see which fast bowlers have done really well… or if there is any bowler who can bat as well… We will pick the best one.”
