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Mumbai, Feb 6 (PTI) Indian pacer Harshit Rana has been ruled out of the T20 World Cup due to a knee injury sustained during a warm-up match. Captain Suryakumar
Yadav confirmed that Rana's condition is serious and he is unlikely to recover in time for the tournament. In his place, fellow fast bowler Mohammed Siraj has been included in the squad, according to reliable sources from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). The team is set to commence its campaign against the USA on Saturday.
Impact of Rana's Injury
During a pre-match press conference, Suryakumar acknowledged the severity of Rana's injury, stating, "Harshit Rana has not been ruled out yet, the physios are assessing him but he does not look good." The captain attempted to alleviate concerns by emphasizing the team's depth.He remarked, "Don't worry, we have 11 players for tomorrow. But it obviously would be a big blow because you make a squad of 15 after a lot of thought and he was included after some thought process." Suryakumar added that the team is prepared to adjust their strategies if Rana is unable to participate.
Performance and Replacement Options
Rana's participation in the warm-up match against South Africa was limited to just one over, during which he conceded 16 runs before leaving the field due to injury. Although he has not been a guaranteed starter, with an economy rate of 10.60 across nine T20Is, his presence could have been advantageous in certain match conditions.With Rana sidelined, potential replacements include experienced bowlers such as Prasidh Krishna and Siraj. The team is also dealing with uncertainty regarding all-rounder Washington Sundar, who is facing challenges due to a side strain and rib muscle tear.
Strategic Adjustments Ahead
Suryakumar indicated that the team will explore options based on the performance of fast bowlers over the past year. He mentioned, "We will see which (other) fast bowlers have done really well for the last one or two years or if there is any bowler who can bat as well."He further explained the importance of strategic planning, stating, "But there is no hard and fast rule that he can bat, because if you are expecting someone at No.9 or No.10 to come out and hit a six, then what are the other eight (players) doing before him? We will see, we do have a few options but we will pick the best one."
