India’s T20 World Cup 2026 campaign has suffered an early setback with Harshit Rana being officially ruled out of the tournament due to a knee injury. The decision was confirmed by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) less than 24 hours before India’s opening match against the USA.
Rana’s absence comes at a crucial moment, as the fast bowler was expected to play a key role in India’s plans for the global event on home soil.
Why Harshit Rana Was Excluded From the T20 World Cup
According to the BCCI, Harshit Rana sustained a knee injury during the warm-up match against South Africa in Navi Mumbai on February 4, 2026. After the incident, the Indian team management consulted a specialist, followed by medical scans and X-rays.
Following these evaluations, the BCCI medical staff concluded that Rana was not fit to participate in the remainder of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.
Official BCCI Statement
“Team India fast bowler Harshit Rana has been excluded from the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 following a knee injury suffered during the warm-up game against South Africa in Navi Mumbai on February 4th, 2026.”
Impact of Harshit Rana’s Absence on Team India
Over the past year, Harshit has been a consistent presence in India’s squads across formats. His recent performances had placed him among the regular selections, and he was widely expected to feature in India’s playing XI throughout the tournament.
His exclusion just before the tournament opener represents a significant disruption to India’s bowling plans.
Mohammed Siraj Named as Harshit Rana’s Replacement
To fill the vacant spot, the BCCI has named Mohammed Siraj as Rana’s replacement in the T20 World Cup squad.
Siraj last played a T20I in July 2024, shortly after India’s previous T20 World Cup triumph. He recently represented Hyderabad in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, where he picked up seven wickets in four matches with an economy rate of 5.81.
With Rana ruled out, Siraj is now in contention to secure a place in India’s playing XI as the tournament progresses.
Suryakumar Yadav’s Pre-Match Hint on Harshit Rana’s Fitness
Prior to the official announcement, India captain Suryakumar Yadav had already suggested that Rana’s participation was uncertain.
Speaking during the pre-match press conference in Mumbai, Yadav stated that the fast bowler was still under observation by the physiotherapy team but did not appear to be in good condition.
“Harshit Rana is still under consideration; the physiotherapists are evaluating him, but he appears to be in poor condition.”
This remark all but confirmed that Rana was unlikely to recover in time for India’s opening fixture.
India’s Updated Squad for T20 World Cup 2026
Following Harshit Rana’s exclusion, India’s revised squad for the tournament is as follows:
- Suryakumar Yadav (Captain)
- Abhishek Sharma
- Sanju Samson (WK)
- Ishan Kishan (WK)
- Tilak Varma
- Hardik Pandya
- Shivam Dube
- Axar Patel (Vice-Captain)
- Rinku Singh
- Jasprit Bumrah
- Arshdeep Singh
- Kuldeep Yadav
- Varun Chakaravarthy
- Washington Sundar
- Mohammed Siraj
Conclusion
The injury-enforced exit of Harshit is a major blow for India just as the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 gets underway. With expectations high and little time to adjust, India will now rely on Mohammed Siraj to step in and strengthen the pace attack.
As the tournament unfolds, the focus will remain on how India adapts to this late change and manages its bowling resources without one of its key fast bowlers.
✅FAQs(Frequently Asked Questions)
❓Why was Harshit Rana excluded from the T20 World Cup 2026?
Harshit Rana was ruled out of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 after suffering a knee injury during a warm-up match against South Africa in Navi Mumbai on February 4, 2026. Medical evaluations later declared him unfit to play.
❓ Who replaced Harshit Rana in India’s T20 World Cup squad?
The BCCI appointed Mohammed Siraj as the replacement for Harshit Rana in India’s T20 World Cup 2026 squad ahead of the opening match against the USA.
❓ When did Harshit Rana sustain his injury?
Harshit picked up the knee injury during India’s warm-up game against South Africa on February 4, 2026.
❓ What did the BCCI say about Harshit Rana’s fitness?
The BCCI stated that after consulting a specialist and conducting X-rays, the medical team concluded that Harshit Rana was not fit to participate in the T20 World Cup.
❓ Did India’s captain comment on Harshit Rana’s condition before his exclusion?
Yes, Suryakumar Yadav mentioned in a pre-match press conference that Harshit Rana was being assessed by physiotherapists but appeared to be in poor condition.
T20 World Cup 2026: Groups, Schedule, Venues, Teams & Complete Tournament Guide
February 7, 2026
The T20 World Cup 2026 is set to be one of the most talked-about editions of the tournament, featuring 20 international teams and hosted across two cricket-loving nations — India and Sri Lanka. With political uncertainty, debutant teams, and high-stakes group clashes, the upcoming event already carries major global attention. Here’s a complete, structured breakdown of everything you need to
Harshit Rana Ruled Out of ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 Due to Knee Injury; Mohammed Siraj Named Replacement
February 7, 2026
India’s T20 World Cup 2026 campaign has suffered an early setback with Harshit Rana being officially ruled out of the tournament due to a knee injury. The decision was confirmed by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) less than 24 hours before India’s opening match against the USA. Rana’s absence comes at a crucial moment, as the
Josh Hazlewood Ruled Out of T20 World Cup as Australia’s ‘Big Three’ Era Ends After 15 Years
February 6, 2026
Australia’s T20 World Cup campaign has suffered a major setback with Josh Hazlewood officially ruled out of the tournament, bringing an end to a 15-year era defined by the nation’s iconic fast-bowling trio. The 35-year-old pacer has not played competitive cricket since sustaining a hamstring injury during a Sheffield Shield match in November, and selectors have now confirmed that the
Major Setback for Australia as Josh Hazlewood Is Ruled Out of 2026 T20 World Cup
February 6, 2026
Australia have suffered a major blow ahead of the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, with Josh Hazlewood officially ruled out of the tournament due to a lingering hamstring injury. Cricket Australia (CA) confirmed that the experienced fast bowler has run out of time to regain full match fitness, forcing the selectors to make a tough call just days before
Real Madrid Enter “Villain Mode” Under Pintus As Hypoxia Masks Return To Training
February 6, 2026
Real Madrid have wasted no time setting the tone after returning to Valdebebas. Following a two-day break, the squad resumed training on Wednesday — and the message was loud and clear. Antonio Pintus is back in full control of physical preparation. And with him comes his most talked-about weapon: the hypoxia mask. Images from the session instantly sparked reactions among
Nikola Jokic Breaks NBA Records Effortlessly With Historic Triple-Double
February 6, 2026
Nikola Jokic continues to rewrite NBA history in a way that feels almost accidental. On Wednesday night, the Denver Nuggets superstar recorded the 181st triple-double of his career, officially matching Oscar Robertson for second place on the NBA’s all-time list. Only Russell Westbrook, with 207, now stands ahead of him. What makes this moment remarkable isn’t just the number —
EFL Stands Firm as Marc Guehi Ruled Out of Carabao Cup Final vs Arsenal
February 6, 2026
The EFL has taken a firm stance ahead of the Carabao Cup final at Wembley, decisively rejecting Manchester City’s request to make Marc Guehi eligible for the clash against Arsenal. Despite strong backing from Pep Guardiola, the league showed no flexibility, confirming that the defender will not be allowed to feature in the final. The decision brings an end to
Top 10 Players To Watch At The T20 World Cup 2026
February 6, 2026
As the T20 World Cup 2026 edges closer, excitement is building around a tournament that promises drama, momentum swings, and individual brilliance. With matches set across India and Sri Lanka, the competition will test teams across contrasting conditions — batting-friendly Indian surfaces and spin-heavy Sri Lankan tracks. In T20 cricket, championships are often decided by moments, and moments are shaped
‘Humne Mana Nahi Kiya’: Suryakumar Yadav Clears Air On India-Pakistan T20 World Cup Controversy
February 6, 2026
Suryakumar Yadav, India’s T20I captain, has firmly stated that the Indian team never refused to play Pakistan in the upcoming T20 World Cup, clarifying that the decision to step away from the marquee clash came from the other side. Amid growing speculation around the high-voltage India-Pakistan encounter, Suryakumar confirmed that India’s travel plans for the match are already in place,
Mercedes at the Center of F1’s Hottest 2026 Engine Debate
February 6, 2026
Mercedes may not be shouting from the rooftops, but inside the Formula 1 paddock, its name is being whispered with equal parts admiration and frustration. As the sport edges closer to the 2026 regulation reset, a seemingly dry technical detail has sparked a fresh political storm — and Mercedes is right at the heart of it. This time, it’s not
1 thought on “Harshit Rana Ruled Out of ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 Due to Knee Injury; Mohammed Siraj Named Replacement”