IPL's Costliest Uncapped Buy Prashant Veer Suffers Shoulder Injury During Ranji Trophy Match

In a worrying development for Indian cricket fans and IPL franchises alike, Prashant Veer, the costliest uncapped player heading into IPL 2026, suffered a significant shoulder injury during Uttar Pradesh's crucial Ranji Trophy fixture against Jharkhand in Lucknow.

How the Injury Occurred

The incident took place just before lunch on day one, during the 30th over of Jharkhand's innings. Veer, fielding at mid-off, dived to his right to stop a firm drive from Jharkhand's Shikhar Mohan. While he successfully stopped the ball, he landed awkwardly on his right shoulder.

The young cricketer clutched his shoulder and lay motionless on the outfield for a brief period, causing immediate concern among teammates and officials. Medical staff rushed to administer pain-relief spray before Veer was escorted off the field and taken to hospital for scans.

Extent of the Injury

Veer returned from the hospital with his arm in a sling, and initial reports suggest he has suffered a grade-2 tear in his shoulder. This type of injury typically requires a recovery period of at least three weeks, effectively ruling him out of the remainder of this crucial Ranji Trophy match.

Match Situation: Jharkhand Dominates Day One

Despite the loss of Veer from the field, Jharkhand capitalized on the conditions after being asked to bat first. The visitors reached a commanding 279 for 1 by stumps on day one.

Batting Highlights

• Sharandeep Singh anchored the innings with his second first-class century, remaining unbeaten on 128
• Shikhar Mohan provided solid support with a well-crafted 78
• Aryaman Sen remained unbeaten on 64* at stumps

The opening partnership and subsequent contributions have put Jharkhand in a strong position heading into day two.

Tournament Implications

This match carries significant importance for both Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand as they battle to keep their knockout stage aspirations alive in the Ranji Trophy. Veer's absence from the field will be a considerable blow to UP's chances of turning the match around.

Looking Ahead

The timing of this injury is particularly unfortunate for Veer, who was set to make his IPL debut in 2026 after attracting the highest bid among uncapped players at the auction. While a three-week recovery timeline should allow him sufficient time before the IPL season, the franchise and fans will be monitoring his rehabilitation closely.

Further updates on Veer's condition and recovery timeline are expected in the coming days as medical assessments continue.