Rajasthan Royals may face a big change ahead of IPL 2026 as England all-rounder Sam Curran is likely to miss the tournament because of a groin injury. The injury has raised questions about Rajasthan’s team balance and possible replacements.
Former India opener Kris Srikkanth also shared a strong opinion about Curran’s recent performances, saying that opposition teams might have enjoyed facing his bowling if he had played in the IPL.
Sam Curran’s Injury Creates Selection Problem for Rajasthan Royals
Sam Curran’s groin injury means he may not be available for IPL 2026. This situation could force Rajasthan Royals to rethink their team combination before the season begins.
Curran is known for contributing with both bat and ball, so his absence could leave a gap in the squad. However, the franchise has not yet officially announced a replacement player.
Several IPL teams are dealing with similar injury concerns as the new season approaches.
Dasun Shanaka Emerges as Possible Replacement
One name being discussed as a potential replacement for Sam Curran is Sri Lanka’s T20 captain Dasun Shanaka.
Reports suggest Shanaka could join the Rajasthan Royals squad if Curran is ruled out. Interestingly, Shanaka recently withdrew from the Pakistan Super League, which starts on March 26.
Possible Sam Curran replacement options
| Player | Country | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Dasun Shanaka | Sri Lanka | All-rounder |
Although Shanaka is being mentioned as a candidate, there has been no official confirmation yet.
Sam Curran’s Form in T20 World Cup 2026
Sam Curran played for England in the T20 World Cup 2026, but his performance in the tournament was not very impressive.
Curran struggled with both bat and ball during the event.
Sam Curran T20 World Cup 2026 performance
| Matches | Batting Average | Bowling Economy |
|---|---|---|
| 8 | Below 24 | Around 9.50 |
These numbers show that Curran faced difficulties maintaining his usual impact during the tournament.
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Kris Srikkanth’s Strong Opinion
Former India opener Kris Srikkanth gave a blunt assessment of Curran’s situation.
He said that while the injury is unfortunate, opponents might have enjoyed facing Curran’s bowling based on his recent performances.
According to Srikkanth, many batters attacked Curran successfully during the T20 World Cup, which reduced his effectiveness as a bowler.
His comments have sparked debate among cricket fans ahead of IPL 2026.
Curran’s Recent IPL Record
Sam Curran’s last IPL season also did not go as planned. While playing for Chennai Super Kings, he featured in only a few matches and struggled to deliver strong performances.
Sam Curran IPL season summary
| Team | Matches | Batting Average |
|---|---|---|
| Chennai Super Kings | 5 | Below 23 |
During the offseason, Chennai Super Kings reshaped their squad and traded Curran along with Ravindra Jadeja in a deal that brought Sanju Samson to the team.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Emerges as Rajasthan’s Young Star
While discussing Rajasthan Royals, Srikkanth also spoke about young batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.
The teenager has already created excitement among fans with some impressive performances in domestic and youth cricket.
Sooryavanshi’s achievements include a rapid century in the IPL and a record-breaking hundred during the Under-19 World Cup final against England.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi key achievements
| Achievement | Details |
|---|---|
| IPL milestone | 35-ball century |
| T20 record | Youngest T20 centurion |
| U-19 World Cup | Century in final vs England |
Srikkanth believes the young batter has the talent to become a major star in Indian cricket.
At the moment, Rajasthan Royals have not confirmed a replacement for Sam Curran. The team management is likely evaluating different options before making a final decision.
Teams like Kolkata Knight Riders and Chennai Super Kings are also dealing with injury issues, which means squad planning is becoming more complicated across the league.
Meanwhile, fans will be eager to see whether Rajasthan Royals bring in a new all-rounder and how young talents like Vaibhav Sooryavanshi perform during IPL 2026.
