Harshit Rana replacements: 3 Indian players who can come in for T20 World Cup

Harshit Rana injury replacements [Source: AFP Photo]

In the latest development, Harshit Rana is reportedly ruled out of the T20 World Cup, and it comes as a major jolt for India, who begin their campaign against the USA on Saturday. The fast bowler suffered joint tenderness in the warm-up match against South Africa and was ruled out of the tournament.

He managed to deliver only a solitary over against the Proteas as India now sweats hard on a solid replacement for the upcoming tournament. With just a day to go for the World Cup, India might look at the A team to find a reliable Harshit replacement and here are 3 players from the India A squad who can replace the injured pacer.

1) Mayank Yadav

If India needs a like-for-like replacement in the T20 World Cup, then Mayank Yadav is the way to go. Just like Rana, Mayank is quick and deceptive and can trouble the opposition batter with sheer pace.

The pacer came into the limelight after he terrorised the batters in the IPL, and while he is an injury-prone prospect, the team management might take a gamble as the pacer boasts outstanding T20 stats.

(Mayank Yadav T20 stats)

• In just 19 T20 matches, the right-arm quick bowler has scalped 25 wickets, and it has come at sheer pace as batters find him difficult to take down. Moreover, his economy in T20s is just 7.43, which is actually better than what Rana possesses.
• While the current Indian team (without Rana) possesses skillful bowlers like Bumrah and Arshdeep, but they lack an out-and-out pacer, and Mayank could be that answer for the T20 World Cup.

2) Khaleel Ahmed

Another player who has impressed with his bowling at the A level is Khaleel Ahmed. While Mayank Yadav offers sheer pace, Khaleel is a bit different as he possesses a different skillset.

A quality left-arm pacer, Khaleel can easily clock 140 km/h, and he is known for his ability to swing the ball both ways, as the left-armer could be a great bowler for India inside the powerplay. Moreover, Khaleel is someone who can take advantage of his height and can extract extra bounce to trouble the batters.

(Khaleel Ahmed T20 stats)

• Khaleel is also an experienced T20 campaigner, having shown his class in the IPL for the Chennai Super Kings. In 128 T20 games, the veteran has scalped 159 wickets, with an economy of 8.49.
• What makes Khaleel special is the fact that he can deliver inside the powerplay for India, and can also chip in with solid overs in the death, a skillset Team India would love to have.

3) Ashok Sharma

If the Gautam Gambhir-led management wants an X-factor in the side, an unknown commodity, then they should look at India A and domestic star, Ashok Sharma. In the recently concluded SMAT, the Rajasthan pacer finished as the joint-highest wicket-taker (22 wickets), and was the find of the tournament.

The 23-year-old pacer can clock decent pace, but he is known for his abulity to control his lines and lengths, and this makes him a potent weapon inside the powerplay.

Final verdict

Three India A bowlers have done well in recent times, and while all three deserve a place in the India squad, only one can replace Harshit Rana.

If Harshit is officially ruled out, then India might look to go in with a like-for-like replacement, and hence, Mayank Yadav could be a solid choice. He can generate extra pace and can trouble the opposition batters. Mayank is still young and raw and has a similar skill set to Harshit.