Harshit Rana Out, Yash Thakur Replaces Him for India Squads

Harshit Rana has been ruled out of India's upcoming T20I series against Afghanistan and the 2026 Asian Games due to a rectus femoris strain. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced that the fast bowler sustained the injury on September 7 while bowling during a practice match simulation at its Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. This setback forces Rana back to the sidelines, impacting his participation in both assignments. Yash Thakur, a 27-year-old fast bowler, has been named as Rana's replacement in both the T20I squad for Afghanistan and the team for the Asian Games. Thakur recently made his T20I debut in July during India's tour of Zimbabwe, where he appeared in two matches and took four wickets. He brings a notable record from domestic T20 cricket, having claimed 81 wickets in 50 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy matches with an economy rate of 7.04. In the Indian Premier League, Thakur has played 22 matches and taken 27 wickets. The Afghanistan T20I series is scheduled to feature three matches in Delhi on September 13, 15, and 17. The Asian Games are set to commence on September 28. India is the defending champion in the Asian Games cricket tournament.