Harshit Rana’s shocking knee injury in India’s warm-up clash with South Africa has cast a shadow over the team’s T20 World Cup aspirations. The young all-rounder’s premature exit after one over at DY Patil Stadium on Wednesday has fueled speculation about his availability for the marquee event. Captain Suryakumar Yadav downplayed immediate fears, stating Rana hasn’t been ruled out.
Yet, team insiders are actively scouting replacements, with Mohammed Siraj positioned as the prime candidate thanks to his 16 T20I appearances and 2024 World Cup heroics. Prasidh Krishna, IPL 2025’s leading wicket-taker with 25 scalps and five prior India caps, and Nitish Kumar Reddy, a four-match T20I player currently shining in Ranji Trophy, round out the frontrunners.
Sources emphasized a collaborative approach: ‘Stakeholders will weigh in before selecting from Siraj, Prasidh, or Nitish – with Siraj slightly ahead.’ This development underscores India’s enviable fast-bowling reserves as they gear up for the 2026 T20 World Cup, starting February 7 in India and Sri Lanka. India’s opener against USA promises fireworks, but the bowling lineup’s composition remains fluid pending Rana’s scans.