India’s third T20I against Bangladesh was expected to see a debut cap for fast bowler Harshit Rana, who has been waiting in the wings for several weeks for a chance to represent his country. While he was reportedly going to get his chance in Hyderabad, a viral fever has curtailed and postponed his goal for now.

Importantly for the IPL, however, this was the last chance for Harshit Rana to earn a cap before the October 31 auction retention deadline, and if Harshit is uncapped it means he will be available at a discounted rate for Kolkata Knight Riders, with whom he won the 2024 edition of the tournament.

Under the new regulations, uncapped players can be retained for INR 4cr, well below the minimum of 11cr for international and capped players this year. Additionally, uncapped players are flexible in allowing teams to add another capped player to their retention list, which would allow title-winning KKR to retain much of their championship core from last year.

Social media users were quick to take advantage of this little advantage that Harshit’s unfortunate illness gave him his IPL franchise, particularly noting how Indian coach Gautam Gambhir was previously the coach of KKR, and also how he debuted for another exciting sailor in Mayank Yadav. in this series.

India leads 2-0 in the series

India will go into this match with Mayank as their sole pacer in the frontline, with Hardik Pandya and Nitish Kumar Reddy also likely to contribute with their all-round capabilities. Ravi Bishnoi also got a comeback in the team in the only change in the team.

India have already secured a series victory by winning their first two matches, both in relatively comfortable fashion. While Mayank has impressed in his first two matches in Indian colours, fans are yet to get a chance to see the two Delhi pacers together.

Harshit Rana was also included as reserve bowler for the Test series against New Zealand in the squad list announced earlier today. That series will begin soon after this T20 series ends, with the two teams beginning their three-match battle at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Bengaluru.