The Ranji Trophy Elite Group C match between Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand took an unexpected turn when UP invoked the Serious Injury Replacement rule for the second time this season. Spinner Shivam Sharma replaced all-rounder Prashant Veer after the latter’s shoulder injury during pre-lunch fielding on day one at Lucknow’s Ekana Stadium.
Introduced pre-season, this policy aims to maintain team balance amid injuries. It premiered in Duleep Trophy with Saurabh Navale for Harvik Desai, and broke new ground in Ranji when Bengal utilized Kazi Junaid Saifi for Sudip Chatterjee against Gujarat.
Sharma contributed significantly, taking 2 wickets for 66 runs in 18.5 overs, including the prized scalp of centurion Kumar Kushagra.
For Veer, it’s a major setback. CSK’s 14.2 crore IPL investment now faces uncertainty with a projected three-week recovery, just before IPL 2026 begins on March 26.
Jharkhand set a daunting target by declaring at 561/6, with Shandeep Singh (139) and Kushagra (102) starring. UP limped to 32/3 by stumps on day two. As playoffs loom, victory here is non-negotiable for both squads.