The Indian cricket team’s preparations for the T20 World Cup 2026 have hit a snag with Harshit Rana nursing a knee injury from the warm-up game against South Africa. Spotting him clutch his knee and hobble off after a solitary over at Navi Mumbai’s DY Patil Stadium sparked immediate concerns. While skipper Suryakumar Yadav insists Rana remains in the squad for now, behind-the-scenes talks are buzzing about contingency plans.
Insiders point to Mohammed Siraj as the top choice to fill the void, backed by his proven track record in 16 T20Is and his pivotal contributions to the 2024 World Cup victory. Joining him in the shortlist are Nitish Kumar Reddy, the versatile all-rounder with four caps, and Prasidh Krishna, whose 25-wicket IPL 2025 haul has reignited his international prospects despite limited recent exposure.
‘We’re deliberating carefully among these three after stakeholder inputs,’ sources confirmed. ‘Siraj’s experience gives him the nod, but nothing’s finalized.’ Reddy is presently occupied with Ranji duties for Andhra, showcasing his batting prowess alongside his bowling skills.
As the tournament curtain-raiser approaches on February 7 – with India facing USA first up in the India-Sri Lanka co-host extravaganza – the nation holds its breath. Rana’s fitness will be the deciding factor, but the depth in India’s pace battery offers reassurance amid the suspense.
