Dasun Shanaka Joins Rajasthan Royals as Sam Curran's Replacement for IPL 2026

Shanaka Steps In for Curran at Rajasthan Royals

New Delhi, March 22: Sri Lankan all-rounder Dasun Shanaka is poised to take the place of the injured Sam Curran at Rajasthan Royals (RR) for the upcoming IPL 2026 season, as reported by a sports news outlet.

Shanaka has already notified the Lahore Qalandars, his current team in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), about his transfer. The necessary arrangements for this transition are currently being finalized.

Sam Curran, who was part of a significant pre-auction trade between Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Rajasthan Royals—where CSK acquired Sanju Samson while RR secured Ravindra Jadeja and Curran—has been sidelined from the tournament due to a groin injury.

Rajasthan Royals will kick off their IPL journey against the five-time champions, Chennai Super Kings, on March 30 at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati. Following this match, RR will face the Gujarat Titans on April 4, the Mumbai Indians on April 7, and the Royal Challengers Bengaluru on April 10.

Previously, Shanaka played for the Gujarat Titans in the 2023 IPL season, participating in three matches and scoring a total of 26 runs across three innings.

In his international career, Shanaka has played 131 T20Is for Sri Lanka, accumulating 1,912 runs and taking 46 wickets.

He also led the Sri Lankan team during the recent ICC Men’s T20 World Cup held in India and Sri Lanka, showcasing impressive form with a rapid 20-ball fifty against Oman and an unbeaten 76 off just 31 balls against Pakistan.

Interestingly, Shanaka is the second player in recent times to transition from a PSL team to an IPL franchise, following Blessing Muzarabani's exit from Islamabad United after being approached by Kolkata Knight Riders as a replacement for Mustafizur Rahman, who was released under the Board of Control for Cricket in India's directives.