Prior to the first game of the five-Test series against England, which begins on June 20, fast bowler Harshit Rana has arrived in Leeds to serve as an unofficial cover for the Indian Test team. Although Rana was not included in India's initial 18-man lineup, he has joined the squad as an injury backup and is likely to stay with them for the time being after traveling from London to Headingley.

The 23-year-old fast bowler from Delhi, who recently participated in the unofficial Test matches against the England Lions, including the intra-squad game in Beckenham, was a member of the India A team. On Tuesday, he was seen leaving Leeds station with the whole team. However, the BCCI has not formally included him in the Test team, and there is still uncertainty regarding the fitness of certain players.

A senior BCCI official told Cricbuzz, confirming Rana's inclusion with the squad, "Please don't count him as an official member of the squad as yet." The names of the players who are nursing minor injuries have not been made public, but the official said that Rana has been kept in England to provide cover for them.

Rana, who first appeared during India's tour of Australia last year, has played in two Test matches, five One Day Internationals, and one Twenty20 International. He was unable to secure a spot in the starting lineup for this marquee series despite his increasing experience and encouraging stints in the A tours.

The fast bowlers of India

Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, and Arshdeep Singh are currently India's primary fast bowling choices, with Shardul Thakur and Nitish Reddy providing assistance as pace-bowling all-rounders. Considering the crowded itinerary and circumstances in England, the choice to keep a reserve pace like Rana seems to be made as a safeguard, particularly with the reported monitoring of some important players' fitness.

Under Shubman Gill's captaincy, India are getting ready to start a new World Test Championship cycle, marking the start of a new era for the country's red-ball cricket. This will be India's first Test series since Ravichandran Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli announced their red-ball retirements.

Read Also: Ahead of 1st Test, Gautam Gambhir Joins Team India in England

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