India captain Suryakumar Yadav has admitted that the team has suffered a major setback ahead of their T20 World Cup 2026 opener. Fast bowler Harshit Rana has been ruled out after picking up an injury during the warm-up match against South Africa. Speaking at the pre-match press conference in Mumbai, Suryakumar said the blow was “obvious” for the team. He added that Rana was not looking comfortable after the game. The team physios are continuing to assess his condition.

Suryakumar explained that the squad of 15 players was selected with multiple combinations in mind. Losing a player like Rana disrupts those plans just before the tournament begins. He admitted that the team would definitely miss Rana if he were unavailable. However, he assured that India still has enough depth to adjust. The focus will now be on finding the best possible combination.

The situation has become more concerning due to doubts over Washington Sundar’s fitness as well. With both players under injury clouds, India’s balance could be tested early in the tournament. Suryakumar said the team is prepared to reshuffle roles if needed. He stressed that injuries are part of the game. The management remains calm despite the setbacks.

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Talking about replacements, Suryakumar said the team will look at fast bowlers who have performed consistently over the past one or two years. He also mentioned that batting ability would be considered but is not mandatory. The captain pointed out that responsibility should not fall only on lower-order batters. He said the top order must take charge when required. India has a few options and will choose wisely.

India will begin their T20 World Cup 2026 campaign against the USA on February 7 in Mumbai. The tournament runs until March 8, with India placed in Group A. They will face Namibia, the Netherlands, Pakistan, and the USA in the group stage. Despite the injury concerns, the defending champions remain confident. The team hopes to start their title defense on a positive note.

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