IND vs AFG: Harshit Rana has been added to the Indian squad for the third ODI against Afghanistan

Indian pacer Harshit Rana has been added to the squad for the third and final ODI against Afghanistan in Chennai after completing his rehabilitation at the BCCI Center of Excellence (CoE). Rana, who has recovered from a knee injury, has joined the Indian squad ahead of the final match of the three-ODI series at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Saturday 20 June.

The 24-year-old has been ruled out of the 2026 T20 World Cup after sustaining a knee injury during India’s warm-up match against South Africa in Navi Mumbai. The setback also forced the Kolkata Knight Riders all-rounder to miss the entire season of IPL 2026. However, India went on to lift the T20 World Cup title in his absence.

While Rana has been added to the ODI squad, his inclusion is primarily aimed at helping him reintegrate into the international set-up after a long spell on the sidelines. He has already been named in the Indian squad for the upcoming T20I tour of Ireland and England later this month.

The team management sees Rana as a long-term bowling all-rounder and is keen to develop him along with Nitish Kumar Reddy as part of India’s succession planning. Both players are being groomed as potential backups to Hardik Pandya in the white-ball formats.

India have already clinched the ODI series against Afghanistan after taking an unassailable 2-0 lead. The hosts outclassed Afghanistan with both bat and ball, and several young players made a strong impression.

With a busy international calendar, including the T20I series in Ireland and England and the Asian Games, the Indian team management could opt to rest some senior players and give opportunities to members of the extended squad in the ODI final.

Indian squad for third ODI against Afghanistan: Shubman Gill (captain), Rohit Sharma, Shreyas Iyer (vice-captain), KL Rahul (goalkeeper), Ishan Kishan (goalkeeper), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Prince Ran Yadav, Gurnoor Jawalis Brar, Yawalsha Harsh Dube, Harsh Dube

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Issued by:

Saurabh Kumar

Published on:

19 Jun 2026 09:25 IST