NEW DELHI: Besides the confirmation of the 15-man squad for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) on Saturday announced a 16-member squad for the ODI series against England.
A significant talking point in it was the inclusion of Harshit Rana as cover for Jasprit Bumrah, who is yet to fully recover from a recent back injury.
Bumrah, India’s spearhead in the bowling attack across all formats, has been sidelined for five weeks to manage his workload and recovery from a back injury.
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During the squad announcement, chief selector Ajit Agarkar clarified that Bumrah’s availability for the series remains uncertain, with more clarity expected by early February.
“With Jasprit Bumrah we are waiting to hear about his fitness and when is he likely to be available so Harshit Rana is going to be a part of the One-day squad against England right now… I don’t think he is likely to be fit for the first couple of games,” Agarkar noted.
The selectors, therefore, chose to play it safe, naming Rana as an interim option with Bumrah unlikely to feature in the first two ODIs.
India vs England – ODIs
- 1st ODI: 6 February
- 2nd ODI: 9 February
- 3rd ODI: 12 February
Rana’s inclusion highlights the team management’s strategy of balancing depth with opportunity. Primarily recognised as a right-arm medium pacer, Rana has already displayed his versatility in the Test arena with two appearances in Australia.
Despite modest returns in Tests (4 wickets at an average of 50.75), his ability to maintain consistency and extract movement has made him an appealing prospect.
Rana is not just about bowling; his all-round skills add value to the squad.
A consistent performer in first-class cricket, Rana boasts a highest score of 122 not out in 12 matches, with an average of 34 and a strike rate of 82.78.
Also See: 2025 Champions Trophy
His dual capacity to bat and bowl makes him a potential utility player in the 50-over format.
India’s ODI Squad Against England: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja
The lineup remains largely unchanged from Team India’s ICC Champions Trophy 2025 squad, featuring a mix of stalwarts such as Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and KL Rahul, alongside young stars like Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal. Harshit Rana joins Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, and Arshdeep Singh in the bowling contingent.
By opting for Rana, the selectors have somewhat prioritised flexibility and long-term planning, allowing Bumrah the time to regain full fitness ahead of the high-stakes Champions Trophy.
