India’s leading fast bowlers Akash Deep and Harshit Rana are unlikely to be fit for the upcoming home series against Afghanistan and the white-ball tour of the UK as they are still some time away from being fully fit, BCCI sources said on Friday.
Akash Deep is currently rehabilitating from a back injury, while Rana underwent knee surgery after tearing ligaments just days before the start of the T20 World Cup in India.
The duo, contracted to Kolkata Knight Riders, he has already missed playing in the ongoing Indian Premier League.
“Akash and Harshita’s rehab is on track, but there is still a long way to go before they can be cleared to play. If we are talking about Afghanistan and the UK tour, there is no chance of both of them getting fit before then. They are still doing strengthening routines. After that, there will be running, stepping, sprinting and then ‘Return To Play’ skills,” a PCI source said about the development of tracking (RTP). anonymity.
Akash Deep is seen as more of a red ball prospect while Rana is very much in the scheme of things in the ODI and T20I formats.
In 2025, Harshit became India’s most successful ODI bowler by scalping 26 wickets in 14 games.
Akash Deep’s defining moment was the 12-wicket haul against England in Birmingham during last year’s Anderson-Tendulkar series.
Those in the know feel that Akash Deep might actually take longer than Rana to return to competitive cricket.
A more realistic chance for them would be the Duleep Trophy – the inaugural opener of the senior domestic season, which is scheduled for sometime in August. PTI KHS KHS UNG
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Issued by:
Amar Panicker
Published on:
01 May 2026 21:38 IST
