‘Season-ending injury, but playing domestic league’: Sangakkara questions Sam Curran’s IPL absence

Rajasthan Royals Director of Cricket and Head Coach Kumar Sangakkara appeared visibly frustrated after his team’s seven-wicket defeat to Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 2, which ended their IPL 2026 campaign.

During the post-match press conference, Sangakkara raised concerns over player availability, specifically referring to English all-rounder Sam Curran, who is currently leading Surrey in the T20 Blast 2026.

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“We were told that Sam Curran had a season-ending injury, but I think I saw him playing for Surrey for two or three games now. So that was disappointing! We’d have loved to have had him here playing for us,” said Sangakkara.

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

Also Read: ‘He is more than ready’: Sangakkara backs Vaibhav Sooryavanshi for India call-up

On the broader issue of player availability, Sangakkara said a stricter framework was needed under the BCCI system.

“I think a proper tight policy around that is always a requirement. BCCI has a strict policy on that. Every person goes through injuries. And if it’s a serious injury, a season-ending injury, of course, we understand. I mean, we’ve had quite a few injuries. We’ve also had players like Adam Milne, Shimron Hetmyer, quite a few who’ve come here, not had much of a game. Lhuan-dre Pretorius and Kwena Maphaka are some of them. They’ve been here. They’ve done the hard yards. They’ve practised. They’ve carried water for the team. And they’ve really worked as hard as anyone else to support the team in this journey.”

“So, I mean, it’s really up to that individual player to decide whether they want to come or not. But I think the BCCI policy around it is very strict now. And that’s the way it should continue, be very strict to make sure that contractual obligations are all met properly and genuinely. And I think every side in the IPL will benefit from that,” he added.

In Qualifier 2, Gujarat Titans chased down a target of 215 to eliminate Rajasthan Royals.

RR had posted 214/6, powered by a stunning 96 off 47 balls from Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and a quick-fire 38* off 11 balls from Donovan Ferreira.

Shubman Gill (104 off 53) and Sai Sudharsan (58 off 32) then stitched a dominant 167-run partnership as GT completed the highest successful chase in IPL playoff history, sealing a seven-wicket win.