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The Indian pacer Harshit Rana has reportedly gained some weight while recovering from a knee injury. And this has caused his recent hamstring issue.

Harshit Rana, who was fast-tracked in the Indian senior team, is believed to be in long-term plans for the upcoming World Cups. He underwent knee surgery, due to which he missed the entire 2026 Indian Premier League. He came back in the Ireland and England tour for the T20I series. But he was eventually ruled out again after he suffered a Grade I hamstring injury after the third T20I against England.

After that, a report from PTI suggested that Harshit Rana actually gained weight while he was recovering and rehabilitating after his knee surgery. A source close to BCCI said, as quoted,

"Harshit is a very important member of this team going into the 2027 World Cup. He is being looked at as a potential number eight batter along with his 140 click average speed. But he has to be mindful about his fitness routine."

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The primary concern is- how did he get the pass to the Indian team? In order to return to competitive cricket, a player has to go through significant tests at the BCCI's Centre of Excellence. After that the player is given a "Return to Play" certificate.

Given that he returned being overweight, he obviously did not meet the requirements, questioning Gautam Gambhir's team management and selection committee, too. 

Not only that, the desperation will affect the player too, and it did. Notably, a litle bit of extra weight adds extra pressure on the leg, especially for a pacer of his speed. The source added, 

“Recently, when he joined the team, he was found to be overweight. For someone who bowls fast, if that player is found to be overweight, then obviously the load on the body can lead to a hamstring tear."

Meanwhile, after he was ruled out from the series, the management named Delhi's Prince Yadav as his replacement for ODI series that followed the T20I. For the rest of the two T20I matches India played in the series, India had to play Prasidh Krishna in place of Rana.