Harshit Rana included in the India squad for IND vs AFG 3rd ODI
India's star all-rounder Harshit Rana has been included in the Indian squad for the third and final One Day International (ODI) against Afghanistan. The third and final ODI between India and Afghanistan is scheduled for Saturday, June 20, at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced Rana's inclusion in the squad just a day before the final ODI of the series. The BCCI confirmed that Harshit Rana has completed his rehabilitation at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (COE) and has joined the ODI squad in Chennai.
The statement read, "The Men's Selection Committee has added Harshit Rana to the Indian squad for the third and final IDFC FIRST Bank ODI against Afghanistan. Rana, having completed his rehabilitation at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (COE), has joined the ODI team in Chennai."
🚨 Update 🚨
— BCCI (@BCCI) June 19, 2026
Harshit Rana added to #TeamIndia squad for Chennai ODI.
More details 🔽 | #INDvAFG | @IDFCFIRSTBank https://t.co/zB84OUHo9x
The 24-year-old all-rounder has also been selected for the upcoming T20I series in Ireland and England, where Shreyas Iyer will captain the T20I team.
The team, led by Shubman Gill, has already clinched the series by winning the first two matches, and the 'Men in Blue' are now aiming for a clean sweep in the final ODI.
India won the first ODI in Dharamsala by seven wickets. Due to rain, the match had been reduced to 25 overs per side. Meanwhile, the hosts won the second ODI in Lucknow by 170 runs, a match in which Ishan Kishan and captain Shubman Gill both scored centuries. Before the ODI series, the two teams had also played a Test match, which India won within three days by an innings and 300 runs.
Harshit Rana suffered a right knee ligament strain during a warm-up match ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup; this injury ruled him out of the World Cup squad and caused him to miss the IPL 2026 season as well. Mohammed Siraj replaced him in India's World Cup squad. Harshit Rana last played for India in the ODI and T20I series held earlier in the year.
The Indian team is currently placing significant emphasis on pace-bowling all-rounders with an eye on the 2027 ODI World Cup. Star all-rounder Hardik Pandya is missing the Afghanistan series due to injury, while Nitishkumar Reddy also sat out the previous match for the same reason. In this context, Harshit Rana could fill the void. It remains to be seen whether he can regain his old form upon his return.
Updated Indian squad for the third ODI against Afghanistan: Shubman Gill (Captain), Rohit Sharma, Shreyas Iyer (Vice-Captain), KL Rahul (Wicket-keeper), Ishan Kishan (Wicket-keeper), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Prince Yadav, Gurnoor Barad, Harsh Dube, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Harshit Rana
