India pacer Harshit Rana is apparently set for his much awaited return to international cricket in the third ODI vs Afghanistan. The all rounder spent the last few months in rehab mode, mostly recovering from a knee injury that needed surgery earlier this year. So because of that, he skipped the T20 World Cup 2026 and also IPL 2026, while doctors at first thought it would take a recovery window of three to four months. Even so, Rana did get named in India’s squads for the T20I series against Ireland and England, but now it seems he might come back even sooner than planned after he was asked to join the national camp ahead of the final ODI against Afghanistan. According to a report from the Times of India, the team management was mulling to bring Harshit into the squad a bit earlier in the series, or well, that’s what it says. At the end though, they decided he could gain more by doing extra work through the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence (CoE). The same report also mentioned that the Delhi fast bowler is currently bowling nine to ten overs every day while at the same time trying to sharpen his batting. Rana is believed to get a fitness clearance by June 17, which may let him join the Indian squad ahead of the third ODI in Chennai. A BCCI source told the publication: “The team management offered Harshit the opportunity to join the team earlier in the series, but it was decided that he needed more practice at the CoE. He has been bowling nine to ten overs every day and has been able to maintain his intensity. He is also working very hard on his batting. He will most likely be officially cleared by the CoE on June 17 and will travel to Chennai immediately.” The choice to fast-track Rana’s return seems to mirror the selectors and the team managements intent, basically to shape him as a backup pace-bowling all-rounder with Nitish Kumar Reddy alongside. India’s top all-rounder Hardik Pandya will not take part in the ODI series versus Afghanistan, after picking up a quadriceps injury just one day after he got fitness clearance from the BCCI’s CoE. Also Read | England Women Script History, Register Highest-Ever Women's T20 World Cup Total The report also said the selectors are not looking to name a replacement for Pandya. Right now, Nitish Kumar Reddy is expected to slot in for the all-rounder duties in the first two ODIs, while Rana might end up making his return during the series finale. India squad for Afghanistan ODIs Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill(c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul(w), Washington Sundar, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Harsh Dubey, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Gurnoor Brar, Prasidh Krishna, Prince Yadav