IPL 2026: Dasun Shanaka likely to replace injured Sam Curran for Rajasthan Royals

Sri Lanka’s all-rounder Dasun Shanaka is set to replace the injured Sam Curran at Rajasthan Royals for the upcoming Indian Premier League 2026 season, according to ESPNcricinfo.

Shanaka has informed his Pakistan Super League franchise, Lahore Qalandars, about the move, with formalities currently being finalised.

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Curran, who was part of a high-profile pre-auction trade between Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals, has been ruled out of the tournament due to a groin injury. The deal saw CSK acquire Sanju Samson, while RR brought in Ravindra Jadeja and Curran.

Rajasthan Royals will begin their IPL 2026 campaign against Chennai Super Kings on March 30 at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati. They will then face Gujarat Titans (April 4), Mumbai Indians (April 7), and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (April 10).

Shanaka previously featured in the IPL in 2023 for Gujarat Titans, where he played three matches and scored 26 runs.

For Sri Lanka, Shanaka has appeared in 131 T20Is, scoring 1,912 runs and taking 46 wickets. He also led the side at the recent ICC Men’s T20 World Cup and arrives in solid form, having struck a 20-ball fifty against Oman and followed it up with an unbeaten 76 off 31 balls against Pakistan.

Notably, Shanaka becomes the second player in recent days to switch from the PSL to the IPL. Recently, Blessing Muzarabani left Islamabad United to join Kolkata Knight Riders as a replacement for Mustafizur Rahman.