After India’s five-wicket defeat to England in the first Test of the five-match Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, teenage fast bowler Harshit Rana has been officially removed from the squad ahead of the second Test in Birmingham, which begins July 4.

The 23-year-old speedster was initially included to India A’s team for two first-class matches against the England Lions earlier this month. Despite only taking one wicket for 99 runs in 27 overs, Rana was nominated to the senior squad as the 19th member for the Leeds Test, owing to a small injury worry in the main team. Rana’s decision was influenced by the support he receives from head coach Gautam Gambhir.

However, following the team’s defeat in Leeds, Gambhir questioned Harshit Rana late selection.

With the wounded player fully recovered, Rana’s function as cover has gone. A BCCI official confirmed that the pacer did not accompany the team to Birmingham.

“Harshit Rana, I’ll speak with the chairman of the selectors. He was held back due to minor niggles. Everything’s fine. After India lost the first Test by five wickets, Gambhir said, “I will discuss it, and then we will make a decision.”

Harshit Rana has been released from the squad. “He has not travelled with the Indian squad to Birmingham for the second Test, which begins on July 4,” a BCCI source informed NDTV.

India to opt for fresh bowling combinations moving forward.

Though Harshit is no longer officially a member of the 18-man team, he is anticipated to stay in England for a few more days as an unofficial backup in case of additional injury worries. India’s bowling attack struggled to maintain pressure in the second innings, as England successfully pursued 371. While Jasprit Bumrah took five wickets in the first innings, the other bowlers, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, and Shardul Thakur, did not contribute much.

Harshit, along with Akash Deep and Arshdeep Singh, had warmed the bench in the first Test as India fielded an experienced pace three. With Bumrah set to be rested for two of the final four Tests, the management is anticipated to experiment with other combinations in the future.

India’s Full 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, and Kuldeep Yadav.