Indian Pacer Harshit Rana Released from Squad Ahead of Second England Test Amid Series Setback

India take on England (AP Photo)

Leeds: Harshit Rana, the Indian fast bowler, has been released from the Test squad before the second match of the five-Test series against England.

The young speedster was initially called up as a precautionary measure. He was not seen boarding the bus to Birmingham with the rest of the Indian team.

The Indian squad departed from Leeds around 11:30 am local time, traveling by bus. The journey to Birmingham was expected to take just over three hours.

The team is scheduled to rest for the following two days. Training will resume before the second Test, where India aims to level the series after their Headingley disappointment.

Gautam Gambhir commented on Rana's inclusion after India’s defeat in the first Test: “I haven't spoken to the chairman selector; I will speak to the chairman of selectors because there was a bit of a niggle in the group. That is why we wanted him as a backup."

He further added, “But at the moment, everything looks fine, so if everyone is fine, he would have to fly back.”

India's defeat at Headingley was notable considering their strong batting performance. The team scored 835 runs and recorded five individual centuries.

It marked the first instance in Test history where a team lost a match despite achieving five centuries.

Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, KL Rahul, and Rishabh Pant (twice) all scored centuries. However, England successfully chased down a target of 371, securing a five-wicket victory on the final day.

Ben Duckett’s aggressive 149 laid the foundation for the record chase. He was well-supported by Crawley and Root. The combined 1673 runs scored by both teams represent the highest ever in a Test match between India and England.

India is set to face England in the second Test at Edgbaston on July 2.