Harshit Rana joins India squad for Test series against England

For the five-match Test series against England, fast bowler Harshit Rana has been named to India's team, according to confirmation from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). The series' opening Test match takes place at Headingly, a fast bowlers' paradise, on June 20. India's fast bowling team will have Harshit Rana join them for the forthcoming five-match Test series against England, which begins at Headingley on June 20.

Despite just playing in the first three Test matches, Jasprit Bumrah will spearhead the bowling attack. Rana will join Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, and Arshdeep Singh in a potent speed bowling lineup. "The Men's Selection Committee has added Harshit Rana to India's squad for the first Test in Leeds against England. Rana, who was a part of the India A squad, has linked up with the team as India begin preparations for the first Test. "The five-match Test series kicks off at Headingley, Leeds, on June 20, 2025," the BCCI statement read.

Rana last played Test cricket earlier this year in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, when he made his Test debut and India lost to Australia in a series, preventing them from qualifying for the World Test Championship Final.  In that series, Rana went wicketless in the Perth Test but took four wickets in the Adelaide Test.  

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Harshit Rana to be used as backup bowler

Harshit Rana recently bowled a 1/99 session in the Canterbury match and played in two matches against the England Lions as part of the India A trip. He also participated in a recent intra-squad practice match for India that was played in Beckenham. Of the team, he is one of the few who have remained in England, while others, including Anshul Kamboj, have flown back to India. With Bumrah's limited involvement in the series, this will only be a significant addition to Shubman Gill's toolkit as the next India Test captain when playing a formidable opponent like England.

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