New Delhi, May 1: The Indian cricket team is set to be without the services of premier fast bowlers Akash Deep and Harshit Rana for the upcoming home series against Afghanistan and the subsequent white-ball tour of the United Kingdom.
PTI reports claimed BCCI sources as saying, both pacers are still a significant way off from achieving full match fitness following their respective injuries.
Akash Deep is currently undergoing rehabilitation for a persistent back injury, while Rana is recovering from knee surgery necessitated by a ligament tear just days before the start of the T20 World Cup in India. The injury setbacks have already forced the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) contracted duo to miss the entirety of the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL)
2026 season.
Long Road to Recovery for KKR Duo
A BCCI source, tracking the development of the fast bowlers, confirmed that neither player will be rushed back into the national setup.
"Akash and Harshit's rehabilitation is on track but there is still a long way to go before they can be released to play matches," a BCCI source told PTI on the condition of anonymity. "If we are talking about Afghanistan and the UK tour, there is no chance of both of them getting fit before that. "
The source further elaborated on the rigorous Return To Play (RTP) protocols the bowlers must navigate at the National Cricket Academy (NCA). "They are still doing strengthening routines. After that, there will be jogging, strides, sprints, and then skills associated with 'Return To Play' (RTP) protocols. "
A Major Blow to India's Bowling Stocks
The absence of both pacers is a notable blow to India's rotational plans, given their recent ascensions in different formats.
Rana has firmly established himself in India's white-ball scheme. He emerged as the nation's most successful ODI bowler in 2025, claiming an impressive 26 wickets in just 14 games.
Meanwhile, Akash Deep is viewed as a vital red-ball prospect for the Test side. His defining moment in international cricket came last year when he claimed a spectacular match-haul of 12 wickets against England in Birmingham during the Anderson-Tendulkar series.
Targeting Duleep Trophy Return
A realistic comeback timeline for both fast bowlers points toward the Duleep Trophy, the traditional senior men's domestic season opener, scheduled for August. Until then, the Indian team management will have to rely on their bench strength to navigate the immediate bilateral assignments.
(With inputs from PTI)
