RR find Sam Curran's replacement as star player leaves PSL to join Royals ahead of IPL 2026

Rajasthan Royals (RR) have secured Sri Lankan all-rounder Dasun Shanaka as a replacement for the injured Sam Curran ahead of India Premier League (IPL) 2026, as per a report by Cricinfo. Shanaka has already informed his PSL team, Lahore Qalandars, of his departure, and the final formalities for the switch are currently being processed. This move follows a high-profile pre-auction trade where RR acquired Curran and Ravindra Jadeja from Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in exchange for Sanju Samson. Unfortunately, a groin injury has ruled Curran out of the upcoming tournament.

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Rajasthan Royals to rope in Dasun Shanaka as Sam Curran's replacement

Shanaka arrives at RR in blistering form, fresh from leading Sri Lanka in the recent T20 World Cup. His recent performances include a lightning-fast 20-ball 50 against Oman and a dominant 76 off 31 balls* against Pakistan. While his previous IPL stint with Gujarat Titans in 2023 was brief and relatively quiet, his current momentum as a lower-order finisher and medium-pace option makes him a valuable asset.

This transition marks the second instance in recent days of a player leaving the PSL for an IPL opportunity. Shanaka follows Blessing Muzarabani, who departed Islamabad United to join Kolkata Knight Riders as a replacement for Mustafizur Rahman. The latter was released following BCCI instructions amid geopolitical tensions between India and Bangladesh.

The trend of moving from the PSL to the IPL was sparked last season by South African all-rounder Corbin Bosch. After a stint with Peshawar Zalmi, he made the transition to join the Mumbai Indians' roster.

Hailing from Negombo, Shanaka recently captained Sri Lanka throughout the T20 World Cup 2026. Although the Lankan Lions were unable to secure a spot in the semifinals, Shanaka's individual brilliance stood out as a major highlight of their campaign. He proved to be a powerhouse in the middle order, amassing 165 runs across six innings. What made his contribution truly elite was his scoring pace, maintaining an explosive strike rate of 187.50.

RR to take on CSK in season opener

At Rajasthan Royals, Shanaka joins a robust overseas contingent featuring the likes of Jofra Archer, Shimron Hetmyer, and Adam Milne. After a disappointing second-to-last finish last season, RR will look to turn their fortunes around on March 30, when they face CSK in their season opener in Guwahati.