(Image source from: Business-standard.com)

Mohammed Siraj will take Harshit Rana's place in India's T20 World Cup team due to an injury sustained by Rana, as reported by sources. The ICC has accepted Mohammed Siraj as the substitute for injured Harshit Rana in India's T20 World Cup lineup. Rana got hurt during India's T20 World Cup 2026 practice match against South Africa on Wednesday. Siraj has participated in 111 games for India, which includes 45 Tests, 50 ODIs, and 16 T20Is. India's captain Suryakumar Yadav shared in a press conference before the team's first match against the USA on Saturday that Harshit Rana "didn't seem well" after the warm-up game against South Africa, and the team physiotherapists are evaluating his injury.

"Harshit seemed to be in bad shape after the warm-up match. The physiotherapists are checking on it," Suryakumar mentioned. The 24-year-old pacer from Delhi bowled only one over, conceding 16 runs, and did not contribute further in the game. Earlier in the match, Rana had a chance to bat for the Men in Blue, but he only faced one ball. With concerns already existing about the fitness of spin-bowling all-rounder Washington Sundar, Rana's absence from India's lineup raises more worries for the defending champions ahead of the tournament. So far, Harshit Rana has participated in nine T20Is for India. In those games, he has scored 57 runs with an average of 28.5, having a top score of 35. He has also taken nine wickets with an average of 33.0, achieving his best bowling figures of 3/33. Conversely, Siraj, who is a key player in Test cricket for India, last played a T20I against Sri Lanka in Pallekele in July 2024. He has captured 14 wickets in 16 matches, averaging 32.28, with an economy rate of 7.79 and his best performance being 4/17.