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The 24-year-old, considered a vital asset for India's 2027 World Cup aspirations, sustained the injury during the third T20I against England at Trent Bridge, forcing him out of the subsequent three-match ODI series.

As per, PTI, sources close to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) have indicated that the added weight during his rehabilitation period likely contributed to the hamstring tear, raising alarms about the effectiveness of his fitness management and the 'Return To Play' protocols at the Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru.

A Troubled Return

Rana's current injury comes after a significant four-month layoff due to a ligament strain in his right knee, an injury suffered during a warm-up match ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup. He underwent surgery on February 9, 2026, which sidelined him for the entire IPL 2026 season. His much-anticipated return to competitive cricket saw him feature in five T20 matches across India's UK tour - two against Ireland and three against England - before the hamstring issue resurfaced.

"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," a BCCI source was quoted as saying. The source further 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 hamstring tear.'

Fitness Under Scrutiny

The revelation of weight gain is particularly concerning given Rana's history. In October 2024, ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series against Australia, Rana had notably shed 17 kilograms, a transformation widely lauded as a testament to his dedication. This past effort underscores the current dilemma: why was the fast bowler reportedly carrying extra kilos upon his return despite undergoing extensive rehabilitation?

Fast bowlers experience immense physical stress, with braking forces of up to 6 to 8 times their body weight during the delivery stride. Any additional body mass significantly increases this load, making players highly susceptible to injuries like hamstring tears. The current situation demands a thorough review of the rehabilitation and fitness assessment processes to ensure such setbacks are avoided for players deemed crucial for India's future.

Harshit Rana: Injury Timeline

Rana is currently at the BCCI's Centre of Excellence for further rehabilitation. The emphasis will undoubtedly be on not just recovery, but also stringent weight management to prevent recurrence and ensure the promising bowler can perform optimally on the international stage.