Team India are currently grappling with a major setback in their fast-bowling department as frontline pacers Akash Deep and Harshit Rana remain sidelined for the upcoming home series against Afghanistan and the subsequent white-ball tour of England.
BCCI sources confirmed that both players failed to recover in time for these assignments after missing the entire IPL 2026 season for the Kolkata Knight Riders. Reports from the Press Trust of India indicate that 29-year-old Akash Deep is still dealing with a severe lower-back stress injury, which will keep him in rehab until at least September.
Meanwhile, 24-year-old Harshit Rana is working through a serious knee ligament tear sustained during a T20 World Cup warm-up fixture earlier this year. Despite undergoing surgery in February, the young speedster is still recovering and is unavailable for the upcoming international fixtures.
This double injury setback leaves the national selectors in a tight spot while they monitor the progress of both players at the National Cricket Academy. Since neither bowler is expected back before the Duleep Trophy in late August, the management has to find fresh talent to fill the void. Team India badly needs a healthy pool of fast bowlers to handle the heavy workload across multiple formats this summer.
A busy international schedule awaits for Team India after IPL
Team India are heading into a gruelling phase of international cricket immediately following the conclusion of the IPL. The senior men's team host Afghanistan in a multi-format series starting in early June, featuring a one-off Test match and three One-Day Internationals. Fans expect a high-intensity battle in Mullanpur and Dharamsala as the hosts test their bench strength without their preferred pace duo.
White ball challenges in England and Ireland
Following the home matches, the national squad fly to Ireland for two T20 games before starting a full limited-overs tour of England in July. This tour features three T20 Internationals and three One Day Internationals at major venues like Lord’s and Old Trafford. The absence of Rana and Deep forces the selectors to lean heavily on experienced vets and promising youngsters to handle those swinging conditions.
Domestic return through the Duleep Trophy
The road to recovery for the injured stars leads directly to the Duleep Trophy, which starts on August 28. This domestic tournament will serve as the primary fitness test for both Akash Deep and Harshit Rana before the home season resumes. Team India supporters are hoping for a swift return to ensure the side maintain their dominance on the global stage.
