India’s T20 World Cup 2026 squad: Mohammed Siraj replaces injured Harshit Rana
Right-arm fast bowler Mohammed Siraj has been roped in as a like-for-like replacement for the injured Harshit Rana in the Indian squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026, which gets underway from Saturday.The Event Technical Committee of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 approved the change in the squad on Friday.Harshit Rana was originally selected in the 15-member Indian squad set to be led by captain Suryakumar Yadav at the upcoming T20 showpiece, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8.However, the 24-year-old Rana was ruled out of the tournament after sustaining a knee injury during the Indian cricket team's warm-up game against South Africa in Navi Mumbai on Wednesday.Rana, who has picked up nine wickets in as many T20Is for India, managed to bowl just a single over in the match before being forced to walk off the field.He underwent scans after the match and, following consultations with a specialist, was eventually ruled out of the tournament by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) medical team.The BCCI drafted in veteran pacer Mohammed Siraj to the squad in Rana’s place. The 31-year-old Siraj, who has played 16 T20Is for India and taken 14 wickets, last made an appearance in the format against Sri Lanka back in 2024. Siraj has also played 45 Tests and 50 ODIs.Defending champions India will start their T20 World Cup 2026 campaign against USA in Group A on Saturday at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. The Netherlands, Namibia and the Pakistan cricket team are the other sides in the group.India are two-time winners of the Men’s T20 World Cup. MS Dhoni had led India to the trophy back in the inaugural edition of the tournament when South Africa hosted it in 2007. They reclaimed the title in 2024 with Rohit Sharma at the helm.India’s T20 World Cup 2026 squad
Most Popular
