Harshit Rana not travelling with Indian squad for the second Test

Rana, who played two Tests in Australia with modest results, was a part of India A squad but hardly made an impact in the unofficial Test against England Lions in Canterbury where he was hit for 99 runs for a solitary wicket in 27 overs.

“Harshit Rana has been released from the squad. He hasn’t travelled with the Indian squad to Birmingham for the second Test starting July 4,” a BCCI source told PTI on conditions of anonymity.

The 23-year-old Rana, a protege of head coach Gautam Gambhir, is a bustling hit-the-deck bowler who hit the headlines with a lovely off-cutter which breached Travis Head’s defence in Perth.

However, over time it has been evident that he is not ready to play top flight red-ball cricket and is a work in progress.

That Harshit, and not a far more potent Mukesh Kumar or Anshul Kamboj were kept as cover, was a big surprise since the Delhi man’s bowling is unsuitable for these conditions.

“Harshit Rana, I will discuss with the chairman of selectors. He was held back because of some niggles… everything is fine. I will discuss, and we will then take that call,” Gambhir said after India lost the opening Test by five wickets.