Harshit Rana has reportedly been ruled out of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup after suffering a knee injury during India’s warm-up match against South Africa. According to a report by Times of India journalist Gaurav Gupta, Rana limped off the field mid-game, raising immediate concerns over his fitness.
The setback comes as a major blow for India, who had been grooming Rana as a bowling all-rounder for the marquee tournament. The youngster appeared to be peaking at the right time, delivering crucial performances with both bat and ball. Rana had impressed with valuable lower-order runs and timely wickets in pressure situations, making him an important part of India’s squad plans.
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While the BCCI is yet to officially confirm his status, India captain Suryakumar Yadav strongly hinted that Rana may indeed miss the competition. Speaking in a pre-match press conference, Surya said Rana’s absence would be a huge setback for the team, though India are keeping replacement options ready.
Rana’s injury could also impact Kolkata Knight Riders’ IPL strategy, as reports suggest KKR may now retain him at a lower price ahead of the retention deadline.
Players Who Can Replace Harshit Rana
Mohammed Siraj
If India opts for experience, Mohammed Siraj becomes the obvious choice. A member of India’s 2024 T20 World Cup-winning squad, Siraj brings proven big-match temperament. His ability to swing the new ball and deliver yorkers at the death makes him a strong option. He has taken 14 wickets in 16 T20Is with an economy rate of 7.79.
Khaleel Ahmed
Khaleel Ahmed provides variety as a left-arm fast bowler, giving India a different angle in the attack. He has been in good touch recently and was also a reserve player in the 2024 World Cup squad. In IPL 2025, Khaleel picked up 15 wickets in 14 games and remains a reliable powerplay option. He has 16 wickets in 18 T20Is for India.
Prasidh Krishna
Prasidh Krishna is the leading contender to replace Harshit Rana in India’s T20 World Cup squad. The Karnataka pacer offers a similar hit-the-deck style and has been in outstanding form over the last year. He starred in IPL 2025 for Gujarat Titans, claiming 25 wickets and winning the Purple Cap. Known for his high pace and bounce, Prasidh has eight wickets in five T20Is for India and could be a like-for-like replacement.
