Rajasthan Royals director questions Curran’s IPL 2026 absence
Kumar Sangakkara expressed disappointment that Sam Curran, ruled out with a season-ending injury, participated in three matches for Surrey without bowling, while other squad members supported the team despite limited game time.
Rajasthan Royals director of cricket Kumar Sangakkara has publicly questioned England all-rounder Sam Curran’s absence from the IPL 2026 playoffs, highlighting a discrepancy between the franchise’s understanding of a season-ending groin injury and Curran’s subsequent participation in the Vitality Blast. Sangakkara stated that the team was informed early in the season that Curran would be unavailable, prompting the acquisition of Dasun Shanaka as a replacement.
The controversy emerged after Sangakkara observed Curran feature in three matches for Surrey, where the player scored 141 runs but did not bowl a single over. Speaking to reporters following Rajasthan Royals’ elimination from the tournament after losing Qualifier 2 to Gujarat Titans by seven wickets, Sangakkara described the situation as disappointing. He noted that while the franchise had accepted the injury report, the player’s on-field activity elsewhere raised questions about his commitment to his contractual obligations with the IPL side.
Sangakkara emphasised the need for consistent application of BCCI policies regarding player availability and franchise duties. He contrasted Curran’s situation with other players who had joined the squad but received limited game time, such as Adam Milne, Shimron Hetmyer, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, and Kwenna Maphaka. According to the director, these individuals had supported the team through training and administrative duties, demonstrating a level of engagement that he felt was lacking in Curran’s case.
The England all-rounder had previously told the BBC before the start of IPL 2026 that he had been battling a groin injury sustained during the 2026 T20 World Cup, describing the condition as gradually worsening. Curran was traded to Rajasthan Royals from Chennai Super Kings in November 2025 in a deal that also involved Sanju Samson and Ravindra Jadeja. Prior to this move, he had been purchased by Chennai Super Kings for Rs 2.4 crore for the 2025 season, where he scored 114 runs and took one wicket in five games.
Sangakkara maintained that while injuries are an inherent part of the sport, strict adherence to contractual terms benefits all IPL franchises. He argued that the BCCI’s existing policies should be enforced to ensure that players meet their genuine obligations to their teams. The director suggested that the decision to participate in domestic competitions while claiming unavailability for international franchise commitments requires clearer regulatory oversight to maintain integrity across the league.
