Nitish Reddy Set for Afghanistan Series as Harshit Rana Ruled Out
Nitish Kumar Reddy is expected to receive the final fitness clearance from the Centre of Excellence (CoE) and join India’s squad for the upcoming Afghanistan series, while fast bowler Harshit Rana has been ruled out after suffering another injury during his rehabilitation.
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Reddy, who was one of the conditional selections for India’s three-match T20I series against Afghanistan, has been recovering from a quadriceps injury at the CoE in Bengaluru for nearly one and a half months. The 23-year-old all-rounder is expected to leave Bengaluru on Thursday, September 10, and link up with the Indian team in New Delhi, provided there is no late change from the CoE medical staff.
Sources familiar with the situation indicate that Reddy has responded positively to his rehabilitation programme and has successfully completed his recent match-simulation assessments. He played one game last week before taking part in two matches this week as part of his fitness evaluation.
“He should be fine and get the all-clear from the CoE tomorrow,” a source said. “Barring a last-minute twist, he should be joining the Indian team tomorrow.”
Nitish Reddy Nearing Full Fitness
Reddy’s time at the CoE has largely focused on strengthening his bowling and returning him to full match fitness. His rehabilitation is understood to have gone according to plan, with sources suggesting that he has also been able to add some pace to his bowling.
The Andhra all-rounder last represented India in June, when he featured against Afghanistan in an ODI. His absence from the T20I side has been considerably longer, with Reddy not playing a T20I for more than 19 months.
His potential return gives India another all-round option ahead of the Afghanistan series, although his final clearance remains dependent on the CoE medical team’s assessment.
Harshit Rana Ruled Out
While Reddy is closing in on a return, Harshit Rana has suffered a setback and is now out of the Afghanistan series.
Rana had already been dealing with a hamstring problem sustained during the third T20I against England in July. During his rehabilitation at the CoE, however, he is understood to have picked up a new injury.
The exact nature of the latest injury has not been disclosed, but the setback has effectively ended his chances of featuring against Afghanistan.
Rana’s absence will leave India without one of the pace-bowling options originally considered for the series. His recovery will now become the priority as the team management assesses his availability for future assignments.
Bumrah and Washington Sundar Still Under Assessment
Jasprit Bumrah and Washington Sundar are the other two India players whose selections for the Afghanistan series were dependent on fitness clearance.
There is currently no definitive update on Bumrah’s status. The experienced fast bowler could undergo a fitness test on Thursday as the medical team continues to monitor his condition.
Washington Sundar, meanwhile, is understood to be on course to receive clearance and could be available for the Afghanistan fixtures.
With the final fitness decisions approaching, India are expected to have greater clarity over their squad shortly. Reddy’s likely return would provide valuable balance to the team, while Rana’s latest injury means the selectors will have to account for another unavailable player before the series gets underway.
For now, the key development is that Reddy appears close to being cleared, whereas Rana’s new injury has ruled him out of the Afghanistan series.