The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are dealing with a double injury blow as they prepare for the 2026 Indian Premier League. Kartik Sharma, the 19-year-old sensation who made headlines with a record ₹14.20 crore auction price, reportedly suffered a back injury during a local match in Rajasthan on Friday.
While the exact severity remains unconfirmed, the sight of Sharma clutching his back and lying on the pitch has caused concern among the Yellow Army. This news comes while the franchise is already monitoring fellow ₹14.20 crore recruit Prashant Veer, who is recovering from a shoulder tear sustained in January.
Injury Status: Kartik Sharma and Prashant Veer
Both players were signed as pivotal pieces for CSK’s post-Jadeja strategy, but their fitness is now a major talking point just weeks before the season begins on March 26, 2026.
| Player | Injury Type | Estimated Recovery | Impact on CSK |
| Kartik Sharma | Potential Back Sprain | To be assessed | Wicketkeeping backup and lower-order finisher. |
| Prashant Veer | Grade 2 Shoulder Tear | 3–4 weeks (ongoing) | Targeted as the spin-bowling all-rounder successor. |
Training Camp and MS Dhoni’s Return
Despite the injury clouds, CSK is moving forward with its preparations. The franchise will launch a 10-day intensive training camp starting February 27, 2026, at the High-Performance Centre in Navalur.
CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan confirmed that MS Dhoni will participate in the camp, marking his official return to the nets for the 2026 season. The presence of the legendary captain is expected to boost the morale of the young squad, particularly the rehabilitating youngsters who are eager to learn from him.
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Strategy or Scramble?
CSK invested ₹28.4 crore combined in Sharma and Veer, viewing them as the future faces of the middle order. While the team has not yet officially called for replacements, the management will likely wait until the conclusion of the Navalur camp to decide if they need to look at the injury replacement draft.
