The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has named Mohammed Siraj as the replacement for Harshit Rana in India’s squad for the T20 World Cup 2026. Rana has been ruled out of the tournament after suffering a knee injury during a warm-up match against South Africa in Navi Mumbai.
Rana bowled only one over before leaving the field in pain. He was seen holding his knee and later appeared with his thigh strapped. Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav also hinted that the injury is serious ahead of the opening match.
India Pace Attack Gets Experience Boost
Siraj now joins India’s fast-bowling group along with Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh. Both are expected to lead the pace attack in the tournament. Hardik Pandya will continue as the seam-bowling all-rounder, while Shivam Dube may also bowl a few overs if needed.
Siraj was part of India’s title-winning T20 World Cup squad in 2024. However, he had limited success in that competition. He picked up one wicket in three matches and was later replaced in the playing XI by Arshdeep Singh. The right-arm pacer has played 16 T20Is overall and has taken 14 wickets.
Despite his selection, Siraj may not be a regular in the starting lineup because the bowling combination already looks settled.
India will begin their campaign against the United States of America on February 7 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. The team is placed in Group A along with Pakistan, Namibia, USA, and the Netherlands.
Sri Lanka have also made a change to their squad. Eshan Malinga has been ruled out due to a shoulder injury suffered during a T20I series against England on February 1. Pramod Madushan has replaced him. Madushan has played 13 ODIs and eight T20Is for Sri Lanka so far.
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