According to reports, pacer Harshit Rana has been called up to the Indian team ahead of the Mumbai Test against New Zealand.
It had been reported by the Indian Express on Tuesday (October 29) that Rana had been called up to India's squad for the Mumbai Test match, and could even make his international debut in the match, days after his inclusion in India's squad for the tour to Australia later this month.
The news sparked annoyance from a section of Indian fans, who believed that India head coach Gautam Gambhir had intentionally delayed Rana's debut in order to enable Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to retain him as an uncapped player for the upcoming IPL season. Before taking over as India coach, Gambhir had led KKR to the title this year.
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As per the IPL's new retention rules, any uncapped player can be retained by a franchise for an auction purse deduction of Rs 4 crore. Players are considered uncapped if they have not played for India before the retention deadline of October 31, 2024.
Were Rana to debut for India in the third Test, it would come just one day after the deadline. He had also been part of India's squad for the home T20I series against Bangladesh, but did not play a match, missing the last one due to a viral infection.
The Delhi pacer was with the Indian squad as a travelling reserve at the start of the series in Bengaluru and Pune before he was released to play in the Ranji Trophy game against Assam. He scored a fifty and claimed a five-wicket haul in Delhi’s 10-wicket win over Assam.
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On Thursday, India head coach Gautam Gambhir also confirmed that no one had been added to the squad for the Mumbai Test.
