In a dramatic turn of events during the ongoing Ranji Trophy fixture, Uttar Pradesh (UP) had to make a quick tactical shift. Left-arm spin all-rounder Shivam Sharma was drafted into the playing XI as a “Serious Injury Replacement” for Prashant Veer.
While losing a key player is never ideal, Shivam’s immediate impact proved to be a silver lining for the home side.
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The substitution occurred on the morning of the second day after the match referee reviewed Prashant Veer’s medical reports. Veer suffered a painful shoulder injury while fielding before lunch on Day 1 against Jharkhand. Doctors expect him to be sidelined for at least three weeks.
This move highlights an interesting evolution in Indian domestic cricket. This is only the third time the Serious Injury Replacement rule has been used in the Ranji Trophy since its introduction last year.
Unlike the concussion-only rule, this allows teams to replace players for any major injury. The first two instances occurred in October 2025, involving Saurashtra and Bengal.
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Despite the fresh legs in the UP squad, Jharkhand remained in total control. The visitors piled up a massive total of 561 for 6. The highlights of their innings included:
- Sharandeep Singh: Scored a brilliant century on the opening day.
- Kumar Kushagra: Continued the onslaught on Day 2, smashing his fifth first-class hundred.
While Jharkhand’s batters were busy making records, Shivam Sharma proved why he was the right choice to “save the day.” Stepping straight onto the field, he bowled a disciplined spell of 18.5 overs. He managed to claim two crucial wickets, most notably the prized scalp of the centurion, Kumar Kushagra.