Varun & Harshit Rana out of rest of T20I series against England
India’s bid to recover from a 0-1 deficit in the ongoing T20I series against England has received a major setback as Varun & Harshit Rana out of rest of T20I series against England with hamstring injuries. As the BCCI awaits finding replacements for injured bowlers, the Board confirmed on Friday (July 31) that both Joshi and Bhura were ruled out following medical reports stating their injuries were sustained during the third T20I at Trent Bridge.
Though India’s spin combination would not have changed for the match, the duo had been named in the squad, and their absence will be felt at a vital time as India tries to recover ahead of another confident-looking England team. Both players have been mainstays in the bowling attack, and their injuries put Team India management in search of a replacement.
Our third spinner is Varun Chakravarthy – India’s greatest mystery spinner ever, and one of the most consistent performers in T20 cricket. Frequently getting batters to mistime his variations has made him the main wicket-taking option through the middle overs. Meanwhile, Harshit Rana has impressed one and all with his pace, aggression, and bowling in pressure situations, thus establishing himself as a promising fast-bowling prodigy for Indian cricket.
The news that Varun & Harshit Rana out of rest of T20I series against England has raised questions on India’s bowling depth. Both the players sustained hamstring injuries during the third T20I and need to undergo a “standard period of rehabilitation” before returning to competitive cricket, the BCCI medical team said.
Harshit Rana is also unfortunately injured, as he just came back to play after his earlier knee injury. His return was seen as a gain for India’s bowling line-up, but this latest blow could push back his rehabilitation process yet again.
India will have to get their bowling mix right for the next few matches. The think tank is likely to back the experienced bowling unit already part of the side and instead look for opportunities for periphery players. There is still life in the series and every contest counts while it remains to be seen how India shapes up without two of their frontline bowlers.
However, England will try to take advantage of India’s depleted bowling stocks. They have had a strong batting lineup with aggressive traps placing the Indian bowlers in a proper situation. The hosts will be looking to roll with the momentum and finish off the series.
Nevertheless, the Indian dressing room is still high on confidence. The captain and coaching staff are positive about the squad’s depth, which suggests that international cricket requires you to never get comfortable with injuries. And for the young bowlers biding their time, there may be an opportunity to shine on a big stage.
Cricket pundits feel that even though India has lost two great bowlers, they have the depth in their bowling lineup to be still competitive. This means the other bowlers will have to take on additional responsibility at these crucial times of the innings when Varun and Harshit played a big part after the powerplay up until the death overs.
Fans have also expressed disappointment over the news on social media after Varun & Harshit Rana out of rest of T20I series against England. A lot of people prayed for a quick recovery and return of the duo to be available in time for the next international series assigned to India.
BCCI hasn’t yet given a time length for their comeback, but said both players will continue to rehabilitate under the watchful eye of the medical staff. They will be monitored for their fitness before any call is made on how soon they return to competitive cricket.
With India nearing a possible limited-overs series defeat, the onus now will be on its other bowlers and batters in what is increasingly being seen as dual injury blows similar to the 2001 NatWest one-day final. Though the saddening news of Varun Chakravarthy and Harshit Rana not taking part is a big loss, it also sets an opening for other players to perform in international cricket.
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