Rajasthan Royals have suffered a major setback ahead of IPL 2026, with England all-rounder Sam Curran ruled out of the entire season. The 27-year-old has been sidelined due to a suspected groin injury, forcing the franchise to rethink its plans just before the tournament begins. Curran was expected to play an important role for the team this year, making his absence a significant blow.
Sam Curran Ruled Out of IPL 2026
Sam Curran will not feature in IPL 2026 after picking up a groin injury, with reports confirming that he will miss the entire tournament. The England all-rounder was part of the squad that recently played in the T20 World Cup, where England lost to India in the semifinals.
Curran had joined Rajasthan Royals last year after being traded from Chennai Super Kings in a deal that also involved Ravindra Jadeja moving to the franchise, while Sanju Samson went the other way. His addition was seen as a key move for Rajasthan Royals, given his all-round abilities and experience in the IPL.
Over the years, Curran has played for multiple teams including Punjab Kings and Chennai Super Kings. He was also one of the biggest names in IPL auctions, having been bought for Rs 18.5 crore ahead of the 2023 season.
Rajasthan Royals Look for Replacement Options
With Curran now ruled out, Rajasthan Royals are actively exploring replacement options to fill the gap in their squad. His absence leaves a noticeable void, especially considering his ability to contribute with both bat and ball.
In the 2025 season, Curran played five matches for Chennai Super Kings, scoring 114 runs and picking up one wicket. While his numbers were modest, his presence as an experienced all-rounder added balance to the team.
There were also earlier discussions around leadership roles within the squad. Former India pacer Lakshmipathy Balaji had expressed surprise that Rajasthan Royals did not consider experienced players like Ravindra Jadeja or Sam Curran for captaincy, instead choosing Riyan Parag as skipper.
Now, with Curran unavailable for IPL 2026, Rajasthan Royals will need to make key adjustments as they prepare for the upcoming season.
Meanwhile, IPL 2026 has already seen multiple players miss games due to different reasons. Punjab Kings will be without Lockie Ferguson for the first seven matches, while Australian pacers Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, and Josh Hazlewood are also set to miss the early part of the season due to workload management.
