Gautam Gambhir removes star pacer from squad after India's 1st Test horror show

Fast bowler Harshit Rana has been released from India’s Test squad in England, just a day after head coach Gautam Gambhir's explanation for his late inclusion. Following the five-wicket defeat at Headingley, Rana reportedly didn't travel to Birmingham ahead of the second Test of the five-match series.

Rana was included in the Test squad despite a disappointing performance ahead of the series. He managed just one wicket in India A’s recent four-day match against the England Lions. Rana was picked over Anshul Kamboj and Mukesh Kumar, who had more impactful performances in unofficial Tests.

Harshit Rana Released From Team After Disappointing Defeat In Headingley

According to the Press Trust of India, Harshit Rana, who was brought in as injury cover, has been released from India’s Test squad. The pacer did not travel with the rest of the team to Birmingham, the venue for the second Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy.

SHORTS

View More

Your daily dose of cricket!

Loading...

"Harshit Rana has been released from the squad. He hasn't travelled with the Indian team to Birmingham for the second Test starting July 2," PTI quoted a BCCI source as saying.

The Indian squad left Leeds for Birmingham by bus around 4 PM IST (11:30 AM local time) on Wednesday. The players will take a two-day break before resuming training in preparation for the Edgbaston Test. They aim to bounce back and level the series after their defeat at Headingley.

I Haven't Spoken to the Chairman Selector - Gautam Gambhir

During a press conference, Gautam Gambhir was asked about Harshit Rana’s selection. Gambhir said that Rana was added due to a minor injury concern within the squad. The head coach Gautam Gambhir also added that he has not spoken to the chairman of selectors.

"I haven't spoken to the chairman selector; I will speak to the chairman of selectors because there was a bit of a niggle in the group. That is why we wanted him as a backup. But at the moment, everything looks fine, so if everyone is fine, he would have to fly back," Gautam Gambhir said.

Rana made his Test debut during the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia. The Delhi pacer grabbed attention after his performances for Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL under Gambhir’s mentorship. He has played in two Tests for India, taking a total of four wickets.

India’s Bowling Attack Struggled as a Unit in the First Test vs England

In the opening Test, India picked Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Prasidh Krishna as specialist pacers, leaving Harshit Rana, Akash Deep, and Arshdeep Singh on the bench. Shardul Thakur was selected as the only seam-bowling all-rounder.

Bumrah impressed with a five-wicket haul in the first innings, helping bowl England out for 465, but the rest of the bowling attack failed to provide consistent support.

India scored five centuries across both innings but couldn’t defend the 371-run target. England chased it down comfortably to win by five wickets. With the bowling unit struggling in the final innings, India are likely to consider changes to their attack ahead of the second Test in Birmingham.

Also read: Sam Konstas sensationally calls Virat Kohli "Big Idol" while creating the perfect batter