Recent reports suggest a minor alteration to India's squad for the highly anticipated Test series against England, with the team strength purportedly increasing from the initially announced 18 to 19 members. While the BCCI is yet to issue an official confirmation, sources indicate that the additional player is none other than right-arm fast bowler Harshit Rana.
The initial 18-member squad, revealed on May 24, 2025, already showcased a blend of experience and fresh talent under the leadership of Shubman Gill, who was named captain following Rohit Sharma's retirement from Test cricket. Rishabh Pant was appointed as his deputy. The squad features a mix of established players and promising newcomers, reflecting a strategic approach to build a formidable team for the challenging English conditions. Key inclusions in the original squad were the comeback of Karun Nair, Sai Sudharsan's maiden Test call-up, and the return of Shardul Thakur.
If the reports regarding Harshit Rana's inclusion are accurate, it would further bolster India's pace attack, which already boasts a formidable lineup of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, and Arshdeep Singh. Rana's potential addition would provide further depth and variety to the bowling options available to captain Shubman Gill.
Harshit Rana, a young and promising fast bowler, has been making waves in domestic cricket with his impressive performances. His ability to generate pace and extract bounce makes him a potentially valuable asset in English conditions, known for favoring seam and swing bowlers. Sources suggest that Rana was initially part of the India 'A' team touring England and his elevation to the Test squad indicates the team management's confidence in his abilities.
The decision to potentially include Rana could be influenced by a couple of factors. Firstly, the need to manage the workload of senior bowlers like Jasprit Bumrah, who is returning from an injury layoff. Ajit Agarkar, Chairman of the BCCI's selection committee, has already indicated that Bumrah may not be available for all five Tests. Secondly, the English weather and the demanding schedule of five Test matches within a relatively short span require a strong and varied pace attack to maintain pressure on the opposition.
The five-match Test series against England is scheduled to commence on June 20th in Leeds, followed by matches in Birmingham, London (Lord's), Manchester, and The Oval (London). This series marks the beginning of the new ICC World Test Championship cycle, adding significance to each match.
India's Test Squad: Shubman Gill (C), Rishabh Pant (VC & WK), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Karun Nair, Nitish Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel (WK), Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohd. Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav and Harshit Rana (Unconfirmed).
