Young fast bowler Harshit Rana has been released from India's squad ahead of the second Test match against England, slated to be held at Edgbaston from July 2.

According to a report published in IANS, quoting sources, Rana is now on his way back to India from Leeds, where the two teams played the series opener.

Rana was added to India's squad for the first Test at Headingley, which England won by chasing down 371 on a thrilling final day.

"Actually, one of the pacers in the main Test team had a niggle. If the team think-tank wished to have someone as a back-up bowler who could execute a bouncer-led strategy, it was Rana who fit the bill and thus was held back.

"But as things stand, everything is fine now. As a result, Rana has now been released from the squad, and that's why he was not spotted with the team on their travel to Birmingham,” the sources further told IANS.

Rana, who made his Test debut during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024/25 and claimed four wickets in two matches against Australia, was also part of the India A squad which recently played two unofficial Tests against England Lions.

Meanwhile, the Shubman Gill-led Indian team travelled to Birmingham on Wednesday (June 25). The players will have a day off on Thursday and are likely to resume their training sessions on Friday in preparation for the second Test.

With England now 1-0 up in the five-match series, India have a task at their hands to bounce back. They lost the series opener by five wickets despite having five centuries and a five-wicket haul in their kitty.

India are in England for a five-match Test series, their first assignment in the World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle.

(With IANS Inputs)