Indian Pacer Harshit Rana Released from Squad Ahead of Second England Test Amidst Series Pressure

India take on England (AP Photo)

Leeds: Indian fast bowler Harshit Rana has been released from the Test squad before the second match of the five-Test series against England. The young pacer, initially called up as a precautionary measure, was not seen boarding the bus to Birmingham with the rest of the team.

The Indian squad departed from Leeds around 11:30 am local time and is expected to arrive in Birmingham in approximately three hours.

The team will rest for two days before resuming training, preparing for the second Test. Their goal is to level the series and overcome the disappointment of the Headingley defeat.

Following India's defeat in the first Test, Gautam Gambhir commented on Rana's inclusion: "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."

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

India's loss at Headingley was notable despite scoring 835 runs and recording five individual centuries. It marked the first time in Test history that a team lost despite achieving five centuries in a single match.

Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, KL Rahul, and Rishabh Pant (twice) all scored centuries, but England successfully chased down a target of 371, winning by five wickets on the final day. Ben Duckett’s aggressive 149 set the stage for the record chase, with significant contributions from Crawley and Root. The total of 1673 runs scored by both teams is the highest ever recorded in a Test match between India and England.

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