India Squad Update: Harshit Rana Released Ahead of Second Test Against England in Birmingham

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 bowler, initially called up as a precautionary measure, was not seen boarding the bus with his teammates to Birmingham. The Indian squad departed from Leeds around 11:30 am local time and was expected to arrive in Birmingham in just over three hours.

The team is scheduled to rest for the next two days before resuming training in preparation for the second Test. Their goal is to level the series and overcome the disappointment of the Headingley defeat.

“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,” Gautam Gambhir said about Rana following India’s defeat in the first Test.

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

India's loss at Headingley, despite scoring 835 runs and recording five individual centuries, has been widely discussed. 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 provided the foundation for the record chase, with significant contributions from Crawley and Root. The combined 1673 runs scored by both teams represent the highest total in a Test match between India and England.

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