BCCI Replaces Harshit Rana as India Make Two Late Squad Changes

By Shivam Kumar | Senior Sports Reporter

The BCCI has made two late changes to India's squads ahead of the upcoming white-ball assignments, with fast bowler Harshit Rana ruled out of the three-match ODI series against England because of a hamstring injury. Uncapped seamer Prince Yadav has been named as his replacement, while Ravi Bishnoi replaces the injured Varun Chakravarthy in India's squad for the Zimbabwe T20I series.

The changes come just days before India begin their ODI campaign against England. Harshit had originally been retained in the squad after recovering from an earlier knee problem, but another injury has forced the selectors into a last-minute reshuffle. The Zimbabwe T20I squad has also been affected, with Varun unavailable because of a fitness issue, prompting Bishnoi's recall. 

Harshit Rana's withdrawal is the latest injury setback for India's pace resources. According to the BCCI, the right-arm quick sustained a hamstring injury and will miss the entire three-match ODI series against England. The selection committee has responded by drafting in Prince Yadav, who receives an opportunity to join the senior ODI squad at short notice.

India had already altered their ODI squad earlier this month when Shivam Dube replaced the injured Nitish Kumar Reddy, who continues to recover from a quadriceps injury. Sunday's announcement therefore represents the second late adjustment before the series begins.

For the Zimbabwe T20Is, Varun Chakravarthy has also been ruled out because of a fitness concern. Ravi Bishnoi, who has previously represented India in limited-overs cricket, returns as his replacement.

India's ODI squad is otherwise unchanged and continues to feature the return of senior players Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah, both of whom were recalled for the England series after missing the Afghanistan ODIs. Kohli's participation had initially been subject to fitness clearance following a hamstring problem suffered during IPL 2026, while Bumrah returns after workload management.

Prince Yadav's inclusion adds another inexperienced pace option alongside Prasidh Krishna, Arshdeep Singh and Gurnoor Brar. The selectors have opted to replace like-for-like rather than alter the overall balance of the squad.

Historically, India have not been strangers to late injury-enforced changes before major overseas tours. In 2018, Ambati Rayudu was replaced by Suresh Raina ahead of an ODI series in England after failing a fitness assessment, highlighting how selection plans can change close to departure.

The BCCI's announcement was largely expected after reports emerged that Harshit had suffered a fresh injury. While the board has not provided a timetable for his recovery, the replacement ensures India travel with a full complement of pace bowlers.

Among supporters, attention has also focused on Prince Yadav's promotion following his domestic performances, while Bishnoi's return gives India an experienced leg-spin option for the Zimbabwe tour. Public discussion has also reflected broader concerns over India's fast-bowling depth after multiple injury setbacks in recent months, although the selectors have not indicated any further squad additions.

India's attention now turns to the three-match ODI series against England, where Shubman Gill will lead a squad featuring the returning Kohli and Bumrah alongside Prince Yadav's late inclusion. Zimbabwe's T20I series follows later in the month with Bishnoi now back in contention. The BCCI has not announced any additional squad changes beyond Sunday's confirmed replacements.