IPL 2026 | Huge blow for Rajasthan Royals as Sam Curran is ruled out

The 27-year-old all-rounder has been sidelined due to a suspected groin injury.

Rajasthan Royals's (RR) England's all-rounder Sam Curran is set to miss the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season for due to a suspected groin injury.

Curran, who was part of England's T20 World Cup side that recently lost to India in the semifinals, was traded by Chennai Super Kings (CSK) to RR last year along with Ravindra Jadeja in exchange for India wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson.

However, the 27-year-old all-rounder, who has previously represented Punjab Kings and CSK, and was the most expensive buy ahead of the 2023 IPL season at Rs 18.5 crore, has been sidelined by injury.

Curran, who played for CSK in 2020 and 2021 and rejoined the side ahead of last season for Rs 2.4 crore, finished the 2025 campaign with 114 runs and one wicket in five matches for the Chennai franchise.

In fact, former India pacer Lakshmipathy Balaji had expressed surprise that RR did not appoint either of the experienced Jadeja or Sam Curran as captain, opting instead for Riyan Parag as skipper.

RR could be exploring several options to replace Curran. Apart from Jadeja, the franchise also has all-rounder Donovan Ferreira, a big-hitting batter who can contribute with handy off-spin.

The IPL 2026 season starts on March 28 with defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru taking on Sunrisers Hyderabad in the lung opener at M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.