Sam Curran
Role: All-rounder
DOB: 03 June 1998
IPL Team (2026): Retained by Punjab Kings (PBKS)
Base Price: N/A (Last Auction Price: INR 18.5 Crore in 2023)
IPL CAREER STATISTICS (Updated April 2026)
Batting & Fielding
| Year | Mat | Inn | NO | Runs | HS | Avg | BF | SR | 100 | 50 | 4s | 6s | CT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Career | 74 | 55 | 14 | 1019 | 62 | 24.85 | 732 | 139.21 | 0 | 5 | 79 | 47 | 22 |
| 2025 | 14 | 10 | 2 | 220 | 62 | 27.50 | 150 | 146.67 | 0 | 1 | 18 | 10 | 4 |
| 2024 | 14 | 10 | 3 | 190 | 48* | 27.14 | 130 | 146.15 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 8 | 5 |
| 2023 | 14 | 10 | 2 | 276 | 55 | 34.50 | 200 | 138.00 | 0 | 2 | 22 | 12 | 4 |
| 2021 | 9 | 6 | 2 | 52 | 34* | 13.00 | 37 | 140.54 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 3 |
| 2020 | 14 | 10 | 3 | 186 | 53 | 26.57 | 148 | 125.67 | 0 | 1 | 12 | 9 | 4 |
| 2019 | 9 | 9 | 2 | 95 | 55* | 13.57 | 67 | 141.79 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 5 | 2 |
Bowling
| Year | Mat | Balls | Runs | Wkts | BBI | Avg | Econ | SR | 4W | 5W |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Career | 74 | 1524 | 2294 | 68 | 4/11 | 33.74 | 9.03 | 22.41 | 2 | 0 |
| 2025 | 14 | 290 | 435 | 14 | 4/30 | 31.07 | 9.00 | 20.71 | 1 | 0 |
| 2024 | 14 | 280 | 420 | 12 | 3/28 | 35.00 | 9.00 | 23.33 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | 14 | 300 | 458 | 10 | 3/31 | 45.80 | 9.16 | 30.00 | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 | 9 | 180 | 244 | 9 | 3/34 | 27.11 | 8.13 | 20.00 | 0 | 0 |
| 2020 | 14 | 294 | 440 | 13 | 3/31 | 33.84 | 8.97 | 22.69 | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 | 9 | 180 | 297 | 10 | 4/11 | 29.70 | 9.90 | 18.00 | 1 | 0 |
The Story of Sam Curran
From the picturesque cricket fields of Northamptonshire, Sam Curran emerged as a prodigious talent, a left-arm swing bowler with a knack for crucial wickets and a fearless lower-order batsman capable of turning games on their head. Born into a cricketing family – his father Kevin and brothers Tom and Ben all professional cricketers – Sam’s destiny seemed pre-ordained. His journey to the IPL was swift and dramatic, marked by a reputation for delivering under pressure and a captivating all-round skill set that made him an instant commodity in the world’s premier T20 league.
Curran burst onto the IPL scene in 2019 with Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings), making an unforgettable debut. In only his second IPL match against Delhi Capitals, he etched his name into history by claiming a hat-trick, including the prized scalp of Shikhar Dhawan, finishing with figures of 4/11. This performance wasn’t just a flash in the pan; it showcased his ability to swing the new ball, outfox batsmen with subtle variations, and bowl effectively at the death. His aggressive batting, often coming in at number 7 or 8, provided vital impetus, exemplified by a blistering 55* off 24 balls against Kolkata Knight Riders in the same season.
His playing style is defined by dynamism. With the ball, he’s a genuine wicket-taker, swinging it both ways in the powerplay and possessing a deceptive slower ball and accurate yorker for the death overs. His left-arm angle adds a unique dimension, troubling right-handers. With the bat, he’s a clean striker, capable of clearing boundaries with ease, often playing match-defining cameos that swing momentum. His athleticism in the field, combined with his infectious energy, makes him a complete package. Curran isn’t just a player; he’s a game-changer, a charismatic presence who thrives in high-stakes environments, making him a fan favourite and a captain’s dream.
IPL Journey: Team by Team
Sam Curran’s IPL career has seen him don the jerseys of two prominent franchises, each stint highlighting his evolving role and immense value.
- Kings XI Punjab / Punjab Kings (2019-2020, 2023-Present): His IPL journey began in 2019 when Kings XI Punjab secured him for INR 7.2 Crore. He immediately justified the price tag with a sensational debut season, including a hat-trick and a fifty. He continued with the franchise in 2020, evolving into a crucial death bowler and a reliable lower-order hitter. After missing the 2022 season due to injury, he made a historic return to PBKS in the 2023 auction, becoming the most expensive player in IPL history at a staggering INR 18.5 Crore. He was even handed the captaincy for parts of the season, showcasing the immense faith the franchise had in his leadership and all-round abilities. He has remained a cornerstone of the PBKS setup through 2024 and 2025, consistently delivering with both bat and ball, often stepping up in crunch situations.
- Chennai Super Kings (2021): Following his impressive initial seasons, CSK acquired Curran for INR 5.5 Crore in the 2021 auction. Under MS Dhoni’s astute captaincy, Curran flourished, particularly with the ball, picking up crucial wickets in the middle overs and providing valuable contributions with the bat. His stint with CSK saw him further refine his death bowling skills and contribute to their title-winning campaign, although he missed the latter stages due to injury. His versatility and ability to perform under pressure made him a perfect fit for the ‘Yellow Army’.
What Makes Them Special: Betting Perspective
For bettors, Sam Curran is a high-impact, high-variance player who offers multiple avenues for returns. His primary value lies in his all-round capabilities, making him a strong contender for ‘Player of the Match’ bets and fantasy league points. He opens the bowling in the powerplay, where his left-arm swing can fetch early wickets, making him a good bet for ‘first wicket-taker’ or ‘most wickets in powerplay’ markets, especially on pitches with some movement.
His death bowling, while sometimes expensive, also presents wicket-taking opportunities. Look for him in ‘over/under wickets’ markets; if he’s bowling two overs at the death, he has a high chance of picking up a couple of scalps, even if he concedes runs. With the bat, he’s a dangerous lower-order hitter. Bet on ‘over/under runs’ for him when he’s expected to bat higher up the order (e.g., #5 or #6) or if the top order collapses, giving him more balls to face. His strike rate often exceeds 140, making him a decent punt for ‘highest strike rate’ in a specific period if he gets going.
Strengths: Powerplay wickets, death-over variations, aggressive lower-order hitting, excellent fielder. Thrives on pitches with swing and bounce.
Weaknesses: Can be expensive at the death if his variations don’t land. Sometimes struggles against express pace or spin early in his innings.
Conditions: Favours conditions with some humidity and swing, particularly in the powerplay. Pitches that offer a bit of grip for his cutters also suit him.
Matchups: Effective against right-handed heavy batting line-ups due to his left-arm angle. Can be targeted by strong left-handed power-hitters.
Consistency: His bowling can be inconsistent in terms of economy, but he generally provides wicket-taking options. Batting contributions are often impactful cameos rather than consistent big scores. Bet on his impact moments rather than sustained statistical dominance.
Key Records & Milestones
- Most Expensive Player in IPL History (2023): Purchased by Punjab Kings for a record INR 18.5 Crore.
- Hat-trick on IPL Debut Season (2019): Achieved against Delhi Capitals, finishing with figures of 4/11.
- One of Few Players with an IPL Hat-trick and Fifty: Showcasing his rare all-round prowess.
- Over 1000 IPL Runs & 60+ Wickets: A testament to his consistent all-round contributions in the league.
- Youngest Player to Take an IPL Hat-trick: At 20 years and 302 days in 2019.
IPL Season Highlights
Sam Curran’s IPL career has been punctuated by several standout seasons and performances that underscore his match-winning potential.
- 2019 (Kings XI Punjab): His debut season was nothing short of spectacular. Beyond his hat-trick against Delhi Capitals (4/11), he also smashed a blistering 55* off just 24 balls against Kolkata Knight Riders, showcasing his explosive batting. He finished the season with 95 runs and 10 wickets, announcing his arrival with authority.
- 2023 (Punjab Kings): Returning to PBKS as the league’s most expensive player, Curran embraced the challenge, even captaining the side in Shikhar Dhawan’s absence. He delivered his best batting season, scoring 276 runs with two half-centuries, including a crucial 55 against Mumbai Indians. With the ball, he picked up 10 wickets, often leading the attack in difficult phases.
- 2025 (Punjab Kings): Building on his consistent form, Curran had another strong season. He scored 220 runs, including a match-winning 62 against Royal Challengers Bangalore, guiding PBKS to a crucial victory. With the ball, he picked up 14 wickets, including a vital 4/30 against Sunrisers Hyderabad, demonstrating his continued evolution as a death-overs specialist and powerplay enforcer.