Experienced England seaming all-rounder Sam Curran ruled out of IPL 2026, according to the latest report from ESPN Cricinfo. Curran was traded from the Chennai Super Kings along with Ravindra Jadeja in exchange for Sanju Samson. The inaugural champions, Rajasthan Royals, are yet to explore a replacement for Sam Curran, who played a pivotal role in guiding England to the semi-finals of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.
Related Article：Sanju Samson and Ravindra Jadeja Trade Rumours Set IPL Fans on Fire
Rajasthan Royals have hit a hurdle before the start of their IPL 2026 campaign 🤕
Full story: https://t.co/A8OspQ7ECj pic.twitter.com/AdfBtxLubn
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) March 20, 2026
Sam Curran is currently dealing with a groin injury, which could force him to miss the cash-rich 19th edition of the Indian Premier League. He was the only overseas seam all-rounder in the Rajasthan Royals squad. Whether the franchise will find a like-for-like replacement for Sam Curran remains to be seen.
The Reason Behind Sam Curran Ruled Out of IPL 2026
There has been no official confirmation regarding Curran’s absence from IPL 2026, either from the player himself or the franchise’s social handles. The Rajasthan Royals’ training camp is already underway at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur; however, the 27-year-old has not yet joined the squad. According to the latest reports, he is likely to miss the tournament due to a groin injury.
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He has now joined the list of overseas players who are partially or completely unavailable, including Pat Cummins (to miss early stages), Josh Hazlewood (to miss early stages), Jack Edwards (completely ruled out) Nathan Ellis (completely ruled out), and Lockie Ferguson (to miss early stages).
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The latest news of Sam Curran’s ruling out of IPL 2026 is disappointing for fans, given his ability to perform under pressure with both bat and ball. He is coming off a strong performance for England in the recently concluded T20 World Cup, scoring 167 runs and picking up 6 wickets in 8 matches. The Royals will undoubtedly miss Curran’s expertise. He has scored 997 runs and taken 59 wickets in 64 IPL matches across six seasons.
Players Who Could Replace Sam Curran
Rajasthan Royals will soon start finding a replacement for Sam Curran if he is going to miss the whole tournament. Let’s discuss the likely players who can come in the place of the English all-rounder.
Sikandar Raza
The Zimbabwe skipper is enjoying a dream run in T20 cricket, both internationally and in franchise leagues. He played a crucial role in guiding Zimbabwe to the Super 8s of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026. In six matches, he scored 206 runs at a strike rate of 164.8 and picked up five wickets. Raza will turn 40 next month, yet his energy on the field matches that of much younger players. He fits well into the Royals’ plans, especially given his effectiveness in subcontinent conditions. Notably, he represented the Paarl Royals in SA20 earlier this year, scoring 118 runs and taking 15 wickets in 10 matches.
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Head coach Kumar Sangakkara has closely observed Raza’s performances in SA20, which could work in his favor. Raza’s game awareness and experience make him a strong contender as a replacement for Sam Curran. He previously represented the Punjab Kings in the 2023 and 2024 seasons, scoring 182 runs and taking 3 wickets in 9 matches.
Dasun Shanaka
Although Sri Lanka failed to qualify for the knockout stages of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, their skipper stood out with his performances. In seven matches, he scored 165 runs at a strike rate of 187.5 and took 3 wickets. With the Royals in need of a seam-bowling all-rounder, Shanaka is another strong option. He was part of the Gujarat Titans in IPL 2023, where he scored 26 runs in three matches. His limited IPL exposure could work in his favor for the upcoming season.
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Shanaka brings significant experience, having played 131 T20Is for Sri Lanka, scoring 1,912 runs and taking 46 wickets. Being from the same country, he may also share a good rapport with Sangakkara, which could influence the decision. Both Sikandar Raza and Dasun Shanaka are match-winners in their own right, having the ability to adapt to any conditions. Both have extensive experience representing various leagues around the world, and the Rajasthan Royals franchise will definitely keep that in mind and will likely take a final call depending on Sam Curran’s update.
Daryl Mitchell
The 34-year-old New Zealander went unsold in the auction but brings immense experience as a dependable middle-order batter and could be a suitable replacement for Sam Curran. He can also be used as a part-time bowler when required. Despite being one of the best batters among the Kiwis, Mitchell hasn’t enjoyed much success in the IPL, having represented only the Rajasthan Royals (2022) and the Chennai Super Kings (2024). Across 13 appearances, he has produced modest returns, scoring 318 runs and picking up just one wicket.
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He is familiar with subcontinent conditions and can be deployed as a finisher—a role Sam Curran played for England in the recently concluded T20 World Cup. With the Royals having several talented youngsters in their squad, Mitchell’s experience and guidance could help them develop their game. Who will be the replacement for Sam Curran? Is it Sikandar Raza, Dasun Shanaka or Daryl Mitchell? With Sam Curran ruled out of IPL 2026, we eagerly await the official announcement of his replacement.
Update: Dasun Shanaka has been signed by Rajasthan Royals as replacement for Sam Curran ahead of IPL 2026.
