Dasun Shanaka to Replace Injured Sam Curran at Rajasthan Royals for IPL 2026
Sri Lankan all-rounder Dasun Shanaka is finalizing an agreement to join the Rajasthan Royals for the 2026 Indian Premier League season. Shanaka steps in as a direct replacement for England’s Sam Curran, who has been ruled out of the tournament after sustaining a groin injury.
To facilitate the transfer, Shanaka is completing exit formalities with his Pakistan Super League franchise, the Lahore Qalandars. An official close to the Rajasthan Royals management confirmed the development on Sunday, stating, ‘The conversations are ongoing for Shanaka to join RR for the upcoming IPL season. Barring a few formalities which are yet to be completed, this seems to be a done deal.’
Previous IPL Stints and T20 Record
Shanaka brings significant international leadership and lower-order hitting experience to the Royals. His transition from the PSL to the IPL continues a documented trend of international cricketers prioritizing the Indian franchise tournament during overlapping scheduling windows.
The Sri Lankan previously entered the IPL under similar circumstances. In 2023, he joined the Gujarat Titans as an injury replacement for New Zealand batsman Kane Williamson. According to data from ESPNcricinfo, his previous IPL statistics reflect a brief stint, though his broader international T20 resume features over 3,400 career T20 runs and more than 140 appearances.
| Player | IPL Matches | Runs Scored | Highest Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dasun Shanaka | 3 | 26 | 9* |
Rajasthan Royals Coaching and Campaign Schedule
The move to Rajasthan pairs Shanaka with familiar faces in the coaching staff. The Royals’ tactical operations are led by Director of Cricket Kumar Sangakkara, alongside assistant coach Vikram Rathour. Rathour recently served as a consulting batting coach for the Sri Lankan national team during their ICC T20 World Cup campaign.
The inaugural IPL champions are finalizing their tactical approach ahead of their season opener. Key details for their first match include:
- Opponent: Chennai Super Kings
- Venue: ACA Stadium, Guwahati
- Date: March 30, 2026
With Curran’s designated role as a seam-bowling all-rounder now vacant, Shanaka is expected to provide competitive depth in the middle order and offer medium-pace options for the Royals as they seek their second IPL title.