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India will return to the ODI format for the first time since January 2026, when they lost against New Zealand. The Men in Blue will host Afghanistan for a three-match ODI series, with the first ODI being played at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala on Saturday. Before the match, there has been news of Harshit Rana’s return to the ODI team once again.
According to a Times of India report, Harshit Rana is set to join the team ahead of the third and final ODI. The Delhi fast bowler will join the team at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, where the last ODI is to be held. Harshit has been out for several months after suffering an injury during the practice match against South Africa ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026.
Harshit Rana will join the Indian team during the Afghanistan series.
The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) fast bowler had to undergo surgery after suffering a major injury while bowling in a practice match, ruling him out of the T20 World Cup 2026 as well as the Tata Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season. However, he has been named by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) selectors for the upcoming tour of Ireland and England.
A source told Times of India, “The team management had given Harshit a chance to join the team at the start of the series, but it was decided that he needed more practice in the COE. He has been bowling nine to ten overs every day and has been able to maintain his intensity. He is also working very hard on his batting. He is likely to be officially cleared by the COE on June 17 and will head to Chennai immediately.”
Will Harshit Rana bring balance to the team?
The fast bowler made his debut in 2025 and was named in the ICC Champions Trophy squad. He performed well in the tournament and won his first ICC trophy for the national team. This fast bowler played some amazing innings in Australia and also against New Zealand at home. However, that was his last appearance in the ODI team.
Harshit Rana adds some balance to the team with his improved batting skills at the end of the innings. He scored a half-century against New Zealand in the ODI series and almost snatched the match from the Kiwis while batting with Virat Kohli.
Harshit Rana can replace Hardik Pandya
His inclusion in the team will definitely add balance and options to the arm for Gautam Gambhir ahead of the England series. The young fast bowler has made a solid start to his career in this format, taking 26 wickets in 14 matches at an average of 27.38 and an economy of 6.22.
He was crucial for India while Hardik Pandya was absent due to injury and workload management. Apart from him, Nitish Kumar Reddy is also the frontrunner to replace Pandya in the long run due to improvement in bowling.
