Harshit Rana added to India's lineup for the upcoming third ODI against Afghanistan in Chennai.

NEW DELHI: The Indian cricket team has announced the addition of fast bowler Harshit Rana to its squad ahead of the third and final One Day International (ODI) against Afghanistan, set to take place in Chennai on Saturday. With India already clinching the three-match series with a commanding 170-run victory in Lucknow, Rana's inclusion provides the team with an extra pace option as they continue to explore various combinations for future matches.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) officially confirmed Rana's return, stating that he has successfully completed his rehabilitation program at the BCCI Centre of Excellence. The board's announcement highlighted that Rana has rejoined the ODI squad in Chennai, marking a significant step in his recovery journey. “The Men's Selection Committee has added Mr. Harshit Rana to the India squad for the third and final ODI against Afghanistan,” the BCCI noted in its statement.

Rana, who is recognized as a seam-bowling all-rounder, is also part of India's plans for the upcoming T20I series in Ireland and England, underscoring his importance in the selectors' long-term strategy. His return is particularly noteworthy as he missed the T20 World Cup due to knee surgery, and the team management aims to reintegrate him into the international setup gradually.

With India leading the series 2-0, the final ODI presents an opportunity for the management to experiment with team combinations, especially in the fast-bowling all-rounder category. The selectors have yet to name a replacement for the injured Hardik Pandya, but Rana's presence alongside other young talents like Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, and Kuldeep Yadav allows for a variety of bowling strategies to be tested in this dead rubber match.

As the team looks to maintain its momentum following two consecutive victories, the focus will be on finishing the series strongly while ensuring that returning players like Rana are match-ready for a demanding international schedule ahead. The updated squad for the third ODI includes Shubman Gill (Captain), Rohit Sharma, Shreyas Iyer (vice-captain), KL Rahul (wicket-keeper), Ishan Kishan (wicket-keeper), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Prince Yadav, Gurnoor Brar, Harsh Dubey, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Harshit Rana.