New Delhi: Team India’s assistant coach Abhishek Nayar debunked the reports on Wednesday that pacer Harshit Rana has been added to India’s squad for the third and final Test match against New Zealand at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Nayar said there have been no additions to the team for the 3rd Test as India aim to bounce back and avoid a 3-0 clean sweep in the three-match series.
Rana was part of India’s travelling reserves during the 1st Test in Bengaluru before getting released to play for Delhi in the ongoing Ranji Trophy. The pacer featured in Delhi’s clash against Assam at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi where he picked up a five-wicket haul with the ball before smashing a half-century.
Rana joined the Indian team’s camp in Mumbai ahead of the 3rd Test against New Zealand, sparking speculations that he might be included in the main squad. However, Nayyar confirmed the pacer will not get a chance in the playing XI and will have to wait to make his India debut. Nayar also stressed that every game is crucial for India as they aim to reach the final of the World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25.
“No additions to the squad. Every week is critical, every day is critical. We have not been narrow-minded in thinking about WTC final. We want to focus on this match,” Nayar said in the pre-match press conference on Wednesday.
