India Expands Test Squad for England Series: 19th Player Joins Ranks
Just days before the highly anticipated first Test match at Headingley, Leeds, India’s Test squad for the England series has expanded to 19 players. The latest inclusion? Young fast bowler Harshit Rana, who has reportedly joined the main squad ahead of the five-match Test series starting June 20. Though there has been no official confirmation from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), trusted sources have revealed that Rana will stay back with the team, indicating his critical role in the upcoming campaign.
Rana’s Rise: From India 'A' to Test Contender
Harshit Rana isn’t entirely new to the setup. He featured in the India ‘A’ squad that took on the England Lions at Canterbury. In that match, he managed 1/99 with the ball and chipped in 16 runs, showing his potential with both bat and ball. But what stood out was his energy and attitude—something that caught the selectors’ eyes.
This potential Test inclusion appears to be a step toward grooming him for the longer format. His stay with the senior squad, even without a formal announcement, suggests the management sees a future in him—possibly even for this series, should an opportunity arise.
Stats That Matter: Rana’s First-Class Performance
So, what do the numbers say about Harshit Rana?
- Matches: 13 First-Class games
- Wickets: 48 wickets
- Bowling Average: 27.79
- Best Bowling: 3/48
- Batting Average: 32.80
- Centuries/Fifties: 1 century, 2 half-centuries
These stats aren’t just decent—they show promise. For a pacer, a sub-30 bowling average is respectable, and his batting stats indicate he can hang around and contribute valuable lower-order runs.
India's Squad: A Blend of Youth and Revival
India’s 18-member squad was originally announced on May 24, marking the beginning of a new era following the Test retirements of giants Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. This squad has turned heads, not just because of who’s in it—but also because of who’s not.
Here’s the original squad:
- Shubman Gill (Captain)
- Rishabh Pant (Vice-Captain & Wicketkeeper)
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
- KL Rahul
- Sai Sudharsan
- Abhimanyu Easwaran
- Karun Nair
- Nitish Reddy
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Dhruv Jurel (WK)
- Washington Sundar
- Shardul Thakur
- Jasprit Bumrah
- Mohammed Siraj
- Prasidh Krishna
- Akash Deep
- Arshdeep Singh
- Kuldeep Yadav
Now, with Harshit Rana reportedly added, the squad’s strength rises to 19. This shows the selectors’ intent to bolster the pace battery, especially considering England’s fast, bouncy conditions.
The New Faces: Sudharsan, Nair, and Easwaran
One of the major talking points from the initial announcement was the inclusion of Sai Sudharsan, a left-handed top-order batter known for his consistency in domestic and IPL cricket. His selection signals the team’s investment in grooming fresh talent.
Karun Nair and Abhimanyu Easwaran were also notable picks. Nair, known for his historic triple century against England in 2016, returns after years of being in and out of the squad. Easwaran, on the other hand, has been a consistent performer in domestic cricket and will be looking to finally earn his Test cap.
The Seam Attack: India's Lethal Weapon in England
India has packed their squad with pace. The current fast-bowling unit includes:
- Jasprit Bumrah
- Mohammed Siraj
- Prasidh Krishna
- Akash Deep
- Arshdeep Singh
- Shardul Thakur
- Now, potentially, Harshit Rana
Given the swing and seam-friendly conditions in England, this makes a lot of tactical sense. India’s recent tours to England have shown that success there hinges largely on pace, depth and consistency.
What Harshit Rana Brings to the Table
So why Harshit Rana?
Rana isn’t the most experienced, but he brings:
- Raw pace
- Aggressive length
- Useful lower-order batting skills
- Ability to hit the deck hard
With Bumrah and Siraj leading the attack, Rana might not play in the initial Tests but having him around provides options. It also gives the management a chance to see how he operates in a high-pressure environment.
BCCI Yet to Confirm: Is It a Strategic Delay?
Interestingly, there’s been no official confirmation from the BCCI regarding Rana’s addition. However, insiders have hinted that he is traveling and training with the squad. It’s possible the board is waiting to assess fitness or strategize squad flexibility before making it official.
Could this be a preemptive move in case of injury? Or perhaps a calculated strategy to rotate fast bowlers through the series?
Shubman Gill’s First Major Test as Captain
For Shubman Gill, this series marks his first full-time stint as Test captain. With the likes of Kohli and Rohit gone, the pressure is immense. This England tour isn’t just about wins—it’s about leadership, squad rebuild, and laying the foundation for the 2025–27 World Test Championship cycle.
Gill will be tested not just as a batter, but also in how he handles on-field decisions, squad rotation, and team morale.
The Bigger Picture: WTC Cycle and Beyond
India hasn’t won a Test series in England since 2007. That’s a long drought. This series isn’t just another bilateral—it’s the kickoff to India’s World Test Championship cycle, and a lot hinges on how they start.
With a young, dynamic squad and a few veterans around for balance, this could be India’s chance to reset and dominate the red-ball format again.
Take Away with Test Series
Rana’s quiet addition to the Test squad is more symbolic than it looks. It’s not just about adding a 19th player—it’s about planning, vision, and backing young talent. Whether or not he plays a game, his presence speaks volumes about where Indian cricket is headed.
This England series could very well be the beginning of a golden generation led by Gill and powered by fearless newcomers like Harshit Rana.
FAQs
1. Who is Harshit Rana and why is he in the news?
Harshit Rana is a young Indian fast bowler who has reportedly joined the Indian Test squad for the England series, increasing the squad strength to 19.
2. Is Harshit Rana officially a part of India’s Test squad?
While BCCI hasn’t confirmed it yet, insiders say he is staying with the team and training, indicating he’s effectively part of the squad.
3. What are Harshit Rana’s First-Class cricket stats?
He has taken 48 wickets in 13 matches at an average of 27.79 and has also scored a century, with a batting average of 32.80.
4. Why is India relying heavily on pace in this series?
England’s conditions favor seam and swing, making a strong pace attack essential. That’s why India has packed its squad with quality fast bowlers.
5. Who are the other new faces in the Indian Test squad?
Sai Sudharsan, Karun Nair, and Abhimanyu Easwaran are among the notable fresh or returning faces aiming to make an impact.
RECENT HIGHLIGHTS
CURRENT WORLD CRICKET CHAMPIONS
LATEST POSTS
