India's Test team for the highly anticipated five-match series against England can expect a new inclusion just days ahead of the commencement of the first Test in Leeds on June 20. According to a report in Dainik Jagran, fast bowler Harshit Rana has been added to the Indian team, increasing the strength to 19 members. Though there has been no official word from the BCCI, insiders in the development have indicated that Rana will remain behind with the main team.

The BCCI had named an 18-member team for the Tests in England on May 24, ushering in a new era for Indian cricket after the retirements of legends Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. The team showed a new thinking, with Sai Sudharsan receiving his first call-up and Karun Nair and Shardul Thakur returning. Interestingly, the selection panel, which is headed by Ajit Agarkar, included five pace bowlers: Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, and Arshdeep Singh.

India's team officially announced on May 24: Shubman Gill (C), Rishabh Pant (VC & WK), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Karun Nair, Nitish Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel (WK), Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, Arshdeep Singh, and Kuldeep Yadav.

Earlier, sources, knowing about the development, informed news agency IANS: "Yes, after much speculation circulating, it has now been confirmed that Rana will remain behind with the Indian Test team. But it is yet to be seen whether he will be officially included in the Indian Test squad before the series begins on June 20."

Harshit Rana's Test Journey and Current Form

Rana played in the inaugural game for India 'A' against England Lions at Canterbury, where he came back with 1/99 and scored 16 runs. It is being understood that the India 'A' players outside of the original Test squad or without county contracts may fly back home on Tuesday, so Rana's prolonged stay means even more.

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He played his Test match debut during last year's tour of Australia, where he took four wickets for an average of 50.75, with a best bowling record of 3/48 at Perth. Rana has 48 wickets in 13 first-class matches at an average of 27.79, and he is also able to play useful knocks from the batting side, having a batting average of 32.80 with one century and two half-centuries. India, with Shubman Gill leading the team, hopes to achieve their first Test series victory in England since 2007 as they start their 2025–27 World Test Championship cycle.