Kumar Sangakkara Expresses Disappointment Over Sam Curran's IPL Withdrawal

Jaipur. Rajasthan Royals head coach Kumar Sangakkara has expressed serious dissatisfaction over all-rounder Sam Curran's withdrawal from IPL 2026 citing 'season-ending' injury. 

Curran had stated that he would not be able to play in the IPL due to a groin injury (the junction connecting the lower abdomen and upper thigh), the news of which was made public on March 19. However, Sangakkara was surprised and disappointed to recently see Curran batting for Surrey in the 'Vitality Blast' (organized by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB)). 

Speaking to reporters after Rajasthan Royals were eliminated from Qualifier-2 of the IPL, Sangakkara said, 'We were informed that Sam Curran had a season-ending injury, but now I see him playing for Surrey. This is very disappointing. If he were in our team, we would certainly have benefited.' 

Upon withdrawing from the IPL, Curran had stated that he was greatly troubled by the injury and would only return to the field when the time was right. Currently, he is playing for Surrey only as a batter, not bowling, and has scored 141 runs in three innings, becoming the team's top scorer. 

After Curran's absence, Rajasthan signed Dasun Shanaka to the team. Bringing Shanaka to the team itself became another controversial issue. Shanaka had to break his contract with Lahore Qalandars in the Pakistan Super League to sign with Rajasthan, due to which he has been banned for one year in the PSL. 

Sangakkara expressed concern over the trend of players not fulfilling their IPL commitments. He said, 'BCCI's policy is very strict and it should be. If the injury is serious, we understand, but players must honestly fulfill their obligations as per their contract.' 

Giving examples of other foreign players, Sangakkara said, 'Our team has many players including Adam Milne, Shimron Hetmyer, who have worked hard staying with the team even when they got fewer opportunities to play. Whether a player comes to play or not is a personal matter, but the dignity of the IPL and the contract must be respected.' 

The BCCI had introduced a strict rule in September 2024 that players who withdraw their names without reason after being selected in the auction would be banned for two years.