India have strengthened their ODI squad for the third and final match against Afghanistan by adding fast bowler Harshit Rana. The series is already decided, with India holding an unassailable 2-0 lead, but the final ODI in Chennai on Saturday will still give the team another chance to test its bench strength and build momentum.

Rana’s return is an important boost after a frustrating spell on the sidelines. The 24-year-old had picked up a knee injury during a warm-up game against South Africa in Mumbai ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. That setback ruled him out of the entire tournament, even though India went on to lift the trophy by beating New Zealand in the final.

In Rana’s absence, Mohammed Siraj was brought in as a last-minute replacement and made an immediate impact in India’s opening game of the event, taking three wickets in the team’s 29-run win over the USA. The injury also forced Rana to miss the entire IPL 2026 season, during which he was expected to represent Kolkata Knight Riders. The franchise later replaced him with Navdeep Saini.

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The BCCI confirmed Rana’s comeback on Friday. “Rana, who has completed his rehabilitation at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (COE), has linked up with the ODI squad in Chennai,” the board said in a statement.

🚨 Update 🚨

Harshit Rana added to #TeamIndia squad for Chennai ODI.

More details 🔽 | #INDvAFG | @IDFCFIRSTBank https://t.co/zB84OUHo9x

— BCCI (@BCCI) June 19, 2026

Rana has so far played 14 ODIs for India, picking up 16 wickets at an average of 27.38 and an economy rate of 6.21. His last competitive outing came in the home T20I series against New Zealand in January this year.

The youngster has also been named in India’s squad for the upcoming tours of Ireland and England, where the team will play seven T20Is. India is further set to face England in a three-match ODI series, with that squad expected to be announced later.

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India’s updated squad for the third ODI: Shubman Gill (captain), Rohit Sharma, Shreyas Iyer (vice-captain), KL Rahul (wicket-keeper), Ishan Kishan (wicket-keeper), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Prince Yadav, Gurnoor Brar, Harsh Dubey, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Harshit Rana