Sangakkara calls out Sam Curran for skipping IPL 2026; backs BCCI’s strong measu
The Indian Premier League (IPL) has always been a high-stakes tournament where player availability can make or break a franchise’s championship aspirations. Following Rajasthan Royals’ exit in the second qualifier, head coach Kumar Sangakkara did not hold back his thoughts on player commitment and contract integrity. During a post-match press conference, Sangakkara raised serious questions about English all-rounder Sam Curran’s absence from the tournament, highlighting a growing tension between franchise commitments and player management.
The context of this frustration stems from a highly anticipated season for the Rajasthan Royals. The franchise had undergone significant squad overhauls ahead of the auctions, executing a massive trade that saw former skipper Sanju Samson move to Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in exchange for Sam Curran and Ravindra Jadeja. With such high-profile names joining the ranks, expectations were sky-high for the Royals. However, the unexpected absence of Curran left a massive void in their tactical setup, leading to a disappointing finish just short of the tournament finals.
The Qualifier 2 Defeat and Post-Match Fallout
On Friday, the Rajasthan Royals saw their IPL 2026 campaign come to an end in the second qualifier. The Gujarat Titans delivered a commanding performance, winning the game by seven wickets to secure their spot in the grand finale. The Titans are now set to face Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in front of a passionate home crowd on Sunday. While the defeat itself was a bitter pill to swallow for the Royals, the post-match press conference shifted the spotlight from the field to the boardroom and player contracts.
The 48-year-old Sri Lankan legend and RR head coach, Kumar Sangakkara, addressed the media with his trademark eloquence but did not sugarcoat his disappointment. The primary target of his critique was Sam Curran, whose absence during the crucial stages of the tournament left the team management searching for answers.
The Controversy Surrounding Sam Curran’s “Season-Ending” Injury
According to Sangakkara, the Rajasthan Royals management was officially informed that the English all-rounder had sustained a “season-ending” injury, which ruled him out of the IPL 2026 campaign. However, what transpired next raised eyebrows across the cricketing world. Despite being deemed unfit for the grueling IPL season, Curran was seen back on the field, actively representing Surrey in the ongoing T20 Blast tournament in England.
Curran has not just been participating; he has been thriving. Playing primarily as a pure batter to manage his physical workload, the left-hander has played three matches for Surrey, amassing 141 runs at an incredible average of 70.5. His campaign highlights include a spectacular best score of 71 not out. This sudden return to domestic cricket in England stands in stark contrast to his reported physical state that prevented him from traveling to India for the IPL.
This situation becomes even more perplexing when looking at Curran’s recent international track record. His last major outing before this controversy was the T20 World Cup Semi-Final against India. In that high-stakes fixture, Curran struggled to make an impact, scoring 18 runs with the bat and going wicketless with the ball. The sudden recovery and subsequent strong batting performances in the T20 Blast have left the RR management feeling let down, as they had planned their entire season strategy around his all-round capabilities.
Proactive Replacement: Signing Dasun Shanaka
While Sangakkara expressed deep disappointment over losing a player of Curran’s caliber, he praised the franchise’s quick decision-making under pressure. Because the management received the injury update relatively early, they were able to secure Sri Lankan all-rounder Dasun Shanaka as a replacement player.
“Having signed Dasun Shanaka as a replacement was the right call since the management was told early,” Sangakkara explained. While Shanaka brought valuable international experience and leadership to the squad, the coach emphasized that the team would have still loved to have Curran’s unique skillset and match-winning presence in the dressing room throughout the IPL 2026 season.
Backing the BCCI‘s Strict Player Policies
The controversy surrounding Curran’s withdrawal has reignited the debate over player pullouts in the IPL. Over the years, several international players have withdrawn late from the tournament, citing workload management, minor injuries, or personal reasons, leaving franchises in a difficult position after investing heavily in the auctions.
To curb this trend, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has implemented a stringent set of rules. Under the current guidelines, if a player pulls out of the tournament after being purchased in the auction without a legitimate, board-approved medical or personal reason, they risk facing a two-year ban from participating in the league. The BCCI has already demonstrated its willingness to enforce these rules, previously handing out bans to English players Harry Brook and Ben Duckett for failing to honor their respective contracts.
Sangakkara fully backed this uncompromising stance by the Indian board. The former batting great argued that strict measures are necessary to protect the integrity of the league and the financial investments of the franchises. He stated that the BCCI’s firm policy is the correct way forward to prevent players from neglecting their contractual obligations. According to Sangakkara, maintaining this strict discipline will ultimately benefit every team in the league, ensuring a level playing field and fostering a culture of mutual respect and professionalism between players and franchises.
Shaan Cooper is a cricket journalist and SEO content writer from Bengaluru who focuses on breaking cricket news, live match coverage, and player performance stories. Her writing style combines fast-paced reporting with detailed cricket knowledge tailored for digital sports platforms.
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