India vs England: Harshit Rana returns home ahead of second Test

The plans and strategies of the Indian squad currently playing in England seem too advanced for the layman to understand. Harshit Rana, added to the visitors' squad ahead of the first India vs England Test, is now directed to return home. The pacer, who debuted for India in the Border Gavaskar Trophy late last year, didn't find a spot in the squad for the five-match England series. However, Rana joined the England tour as a part of the India A squad that played two unofficial Tests against England Lions and an intra-squad match with the main Indian combination for the Test series. 

Harshit Rana returns home ahead of the second India vs England Test in Birmingham

Following the conclusion of the action for India A in England, the squad returned home before the opening Test at Headingley. However, Harshit Rana was directed to stay back with the main squad. The pacer didn't mark any notable performance for India A. He played one out of the two matches for India A, managing just a single wicket in the opening fixture at Canterbury that ended in a draw. The intra-squad match, meanwhile, was kept under wraps. Based on the performances for India A on the England tour, it was anticipated that if anyone could break into the main squad at the last moment, it would be Anshul Kamboj.

However, the anticipations were dashed swiftly when reports emerged about Harshit Rana staying back. The BCCI, meanwhile, confirmed the addition of the speedster to the main squad for the first India vs England Test, a day ahead of the opening fixture at Headingley. Consequently, Rana traveled with the team to Leeds. However, the pacer didn't get a spot in the India Playing XI for the opening fixture. The move pulled by the management left many puzzled. 

India's attack for the opening India vs England match included Prasidh Krishna, Mohammed Siraj, and all-rounder Shardul Thakur along with the spearhead Jasprit Bumrah. As the match unfolded, it became clear that despite the overhaul in the Test squad, the group still largely relies on Bumrah. Apart from Bumrah, none of the bowlers managed to make any impact, until very late, when the match had already slipped out of India's grasp.

Despite India scoring five centuries in the match, the first instance for the team in Test cricket, the visitors endured a 5-wicket defeat against England. Now, as the group prepares for the next Test in Birmingham, the first development from the proceedings has reported the return of Harshit Rana. Reports emerging from the Indian camp have informed that Rana has been dropped from the squad and has not traveled with the team to Birmingham.

Earlier in the day, the Indian head coach, Gautam Gambhir, addressed the media after the conclusion of the first Test in Leeds. There, Gambhir talked about adding Rana to the squad for the first Test at the last moment. The coach informed that Rana's addition shaped up due to a minor injury concern within the squad. However, the injured player in question recovered in time ahead of the first Test. Consequently, Rana's turn to join the attack never shaped up.

"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,” Gambhir had said on Rana following India’s defeat in the first Test. "But at the moment, everything looks fine, so if everyone is fine, he would have to fly back," he added.

Now, as predicted by Gambhir earlier, everything, thankfully, seems fine with the Indian squad ahead of the next Test at Edgbaston. Thus, the time has arrived for Harshit Rana to return home. As the group leaves behind the ghost of the 5-wicket defeat in Leeds and moves to Birmingham, Harshit Rana returns to India.

"Harshit Rana has been released from the squad. He hasn't travelled with the Indian team to Birmingham for the second Test starting July 2," a BCCI source informed recently.

Meanwhile, as the focus shifts to the second India vs England Test, the visitors have a lot to work on. Jasprit Bumrah is confirmed to play only three Tests, reiterated by Gautam Gambhir again in the press conference. With Bumrah's limited availability and the rest of the bowling attack looking toothless, India is in dire need of finding a combination that works, else the England tour looks like an unusually steep hill to climb.