India's Harshit Rana Released from Squad Ahead of Second Test vs. England in Birmingham

India take on England (AP Photo)

Leeds: Indian fast bowler Harshit Rana has been released from the Test squad before the second match of the five-Test series against England.

The young bowler, initially called up as a precautionary measure, was not seen with the rest of his teammates on the bus to Birmingham. The Indian squad departed from Leeds around 11:30 am local time and arrived in Birmingham approximately three hours later.

The team is scheduled to rest for two days before resuming training in preparation for the second Test. They will aim to level the series and recover from the disappointment of their loss at Headingley.

Following India’s defeat in the first Test, Gautam Gambhir commented on Rana's inclusion: “I haven't spoken to the chairman selector; I will speak to the chairman of selectors because there was a bit of a niggle in the group. That is why we wanted him as a backup,”

“But at the moment, everything looks fine, so if everyone is fine, he would have to fly back.”

India’s loss at Headingley, despite a strong batting performance of 835 runs and five individual centuries, has drawn attention due to its unique circumstances. It marked the first instance in Test history where a team lost despite achieving five centuries in a single match.

Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, KL Rahul, and Rishabh Pant (twice) all scored centuries, but England successfully chased down a target of 371, securing a five-wicket victory on the final day.

Ben Duckett’s aggressive 149 provided the foundation for the successful chase, with Crawley and Root contributing significant scores. The combined 1673 runs scored by both teams represent the highest total ever recorded in a Test match between India and England.

India will face England in the second Test at Edgbaston on July 2.