India's Pacer Harshit Rana Released from Squad Ahead of Second Test vs. England in Birmingham; Series Hopes Rest on Edgbaston Turnaround

Indian Pacer Released from Squad Ahead of Second Test Against England

Leeds: Harshit Rana, the Indian fast bowler, has been released from the Test squad prior to the second match of the five-Test series against England.

The young bowler, initially called up as a precautionary measure, was not seen boarding the team bus to Birmingham with his teammates. The Indian squad departed from Leeds around 11:30 am local time, with an expected journey time of just over three hours to Birmingham.

The team is scheduled to rest for the next two days before resuming training. They will be focusing on leveling the series in the second Test and overcoming the disappointment of the Headingley defeat.

Gautam Gambhir commented on Rana's inclusion following India’s defeat in the first Test: “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."

He further added, “But at the moment, everything looks fine, so if everyone is fine, he would have to fly back.”

India's defeat at Headingley was particularly notable given their strong batting performance. The team amassed 835 runs and recorded five individual centuries in the match.

It marked the first instance in Test history where a team lost despite scoring five centuries in the same game.

Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, KL Rahul, and Rishabh Pant (twice) all scored centuries, but England managed a remarkable chase of 371, securing a five-wicket victory on the final day.

Ben Duckett’s aggressive 149 provided the foundation for the record chase, with valuable contributions from Crawley and Root. The combined 1673 runs scored by both teams represent the highest aggregate in a Test match between India and England.

India will now face England in the second Test at Edgbaston on July 2.