NEW DELHI: Fast bowler Harshit Rana was added to the India squad on Friday, ahead of the third and final ODI against Afghanistan.The match is scheduled to be played in Chennai on Saturday, with India already having sealed the three-match series 2-0 after a dominant 170-run victory in Lucknow. Rana’s inclusion offers the team management an additional pace option as they continue to test combinations ahead of upcoming assignments.

BCCI confirms Rana’s return after rehabilitation

In an official statement, the BCCI confirmed that Rana has completed his rehabilitation programme at the Centre of Excellence and has now joined the India squad in Chennai.“The Men’s Selection Committee has added Mr Harshit Rana to the India squad for the third and final ODI against Afghanistan. Mr Rana, who has completed his rehabilitation at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (COE), has linked up with the ODI squad in Chennai,” the board said.Rana, a seam-bowling all-rounder, has also been named in India’s plans for the upcoming T20I series in Ireland and England, indicating that he remains firmly in the selectors’ long-term scheme of things.

Opportunity to rebuild international rhythm

Rana’s return comes after he missed the T20 World Cup due to a knee surgery. As reported by TOI earlier, the team management is expected to use the Chennai ODI as an opportunity to ease him back into the international setup.With India already leading the series 2-0, the final ODI could see experimentation in team combinations, especially with an eye on building depth in the fast-bowling all-rounder department.The selectors have not named a replacement for injured all-rounder Hardik Pandya.

India eye more squad depth ahead of busy season

The management is keen on grooming young seam-bowling all-rounders to strengthen long-term bench strength. Rana’s presence alongside Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna and Kuldeep Yadav gives India multiple bowling combinations to explore in the dead rubber in Chennai.With confidence high after back-to-back wins, India will look to finish the series on a strong note while also integrating returning players like Rana into match readiness ahead of a packed international calendar.Updated squad for the third ODI against Afghanistan: