Kumar Sangakkara Expresses Frustration Over Player Injuries After IPL 2026 Exit
Sangakkara's Outburst Post-Match
Following the Rajasthan Royals' defeat to the Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 2, Kumar Sangakkara, the team's Director of Cricket and Head Coach, displayed visible frustration during the post-match press conference. This loss marked the end of their journey in IPL 2026.
Concerns Over Sam Curran's Injury
During the press conference, Sangakkara addressed the issue of player availability, specifically mentioning Sam Curran, the English all-rounder currently captaining Surrey in the T20 Blast 2026. Despite being reported with a season-ending injury, Sangakkara noted, "We were informed that Sam Curran had a season-ending injury, yet I have seen him play for Surrey in two or three matches. This is disappointing! We would have loved to have him on our team."
Trade and Injury Context
Curran was part of a significant pre-auction trade between Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals, which involved CSK acquiring Sanju Samson while RR received Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran. Unfortunately, due to a groin injury, Curran was unable to participate in the tournament.
Need for Stricter Player Availability Policies
Sangakkara emphasized the necessity for a stringent policy regarding player availability, stating, "A well-defined policy is essential. The BCCI has a strict approach to this. Injuries are part of the game, and if it's a serious injury, we understand. We've faced several injuries ourselves, including players like Adam Milne and Shimron Hetmyer, who have not had much playtime. Others like Lhuan-dre Pretorius and Kwena Maphaka have worked hard in practice and supported the team throughout this journey."
"Ultimately, it is up to each player to decide their participation. However, the BCCI's strict policy should remain in place to ensure all contractual obligations are fulfilled. This will benefit every team in the IPL," he added.
Match Summary: GT Eliminates RR
In the second qualifier, the Gujarat Titans triumphed over the Rajasthan Royals by seven wickets. After RR batted first, a stellar performance from Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (96 runs off 47 balls, including eight fours and seven sixes) and a quick 38* from Donovan Ferreira (in just 11 balls) led the Royals to a total of 214/6 in their 20 overs. In response, GT's captain Shubman Gill scored 104 runs off 53 balls, supported by Sai Sudharsan's 58 runs off 32 balls, securing a three-wicket victory.
This match set a record for the highest target chased in IPL playoffs, surpassing the previous record of 204 runs chased by Punjab Kings against Mumbai Indians in last year's Qualifier 2. Additionally, this chase marked GT's highest run-chase in IPL history, exceeding their 204-run chase against Delhi Capitals in 2025.