Harshit Rana

Team India has arrived in Leeds for the opening Test match against England, scheduled to begin on June 20 at Headingley. The major update from the squad is the inclusion of fast bowler Harshit Rana as a cover player. Though he was not part of the original 18-member team, he joined the team in Leeds after impressing in India A’s recent outing.

Harshit Rana Joins as Backup Pacer

According to sources from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Harshit Rana has been included as a backup fast bowler. The 23-year-old was seen arriving at the Leeds Railway Station with the rest of the squad after travelling from London.

Harshit was not initially selected in the 18-member squad for the England series, but his recent form and performance for India A against England Lions helped him earn a call-up as cover.

Harshit Rana

Debut and Career So Far

Harshit Rana made his international debut in 2024 during India’s tour of Australia. Since then, he has played:

  • 2 Test matches
  • 5 One Day Internationals (ODIs)
  • 1 T20 International

Though still new to the international circuit, Harshit has impressed with his raw pace, bounce, and aggression, especially in red-ball cricket.

Team India’s Preparation for the England Series

Before the Test series, India played a four-day intra-squad match in Beckenham against India A, which was their only official warm-up fixture. Several players had already reached England earlier, including:

  • KL Rahul
  • Karun Nair
  • Yashasvi Jaiswal
  • Shardul Thakur
  • Dhruv Jurel
  • Nitish Kumar Reddy

These players were part of the India A squad that faced the England Lions in unofficial matches.

Arrival in Leeds

The Indian team travelled from London to Leeds via train and was seen arriving together at the station. Harshit Rana was also spotted with the main squad, confirming his inclusion as cover.

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Harshit Rana

Full India Squad for England Test Series:

Shubman Gill (Captain), Rishabh Pant (Vice-Captain & Wicketkeeper), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Karun Nair, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel (Wicketkeeper), Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana (Cover), Kuldeep Yadav.

What Does This Mean for India?

Harshit’s addition may not immediately affect the playing XI, but it strengthens the pace department in case of injuries or last-minute fitness issues. With England’s conditions favouring fast bowlers, having an extra option like Harshit could prove useful for the long 5-match series.

Series Overview:

  • First Test: June 20, Headingley, Leeds
  • Total: 5 Test matches over 6 weeks
  • This series will be crucial for WTC (World Test Championship) points and team momentum.

Disclaimer: This article is based on official updates and reports available as of June 17, 2025. Player availability and squad changes are subject to confirmation by the BCCI and team management.