Rajasthan Royals have moved quickly to secure Dasun Shanaka as a replacement for the injured Sam Curran and are now tying up the final paperwork with the league. Curran, acquired from Chennai Super Kings in December’s trade window, suffered a groin strain during England’s recent white-ball series and has been ruled out of IPL 2026.
“It’s obviously frustrating to miss the tournament, but the body sometimes makes the decision for you,” Curran said in a short statement released by the Royals on Sunday. The all-rounder is expected to be out for six to eight weeks.
Shanaka, who captained Sri Lanka at the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka, informed Lahore Qalandars that he would be withdrawing from the Pakistan Super League to take up the IPL deal. “The opportunity came late, but it’s one I can’t ignore,” he told Sri Lankan radio station FM 99. “I’ve loved my time in Lahore, yet every player dreams of an extended run in the IPL.”
The 34-year-old arrives in good touch. At the World Cup he belted a 20-ball fifty against Oman and followed it with 76* from 31 balls against Pakistan. While his previous IPL stint – three matches for Gujarat Titans in 2023 – brought modest returns, Royals assistant coach Trevor Penney believes the timing is better this time. “Dasun’s game has evolved; he reads the death overs far more clearly now,” Penney said. “He won’t try to be Sam Curran – no one can – but he offers power and a few tidy overs of seam.”
Shanaka joins an overseas group that already includes Shimron Hetmyer, Jofra Archer, Adam Milne and emerging South African quick Kwena Maphaka. Skipper Sanju Samson welcomed the addition, noting that Shanaka “gives us a flexible batting option at six or seven and handy overs if the pitch grips.”
The move makes Shanaka the second player in a week to exit the PSL for an IPL call-up, after Blessing Muzarabani swapped Islamabad United for Kolkata Knight Riders following Mustafizur Rahman’s withdrawal amid India-Bangladesh political tensions. The BCCI’s stance on players from non-aligned nations remains unchanged, which keeps the replacement market fluid.
Royals, who finished ninth last season, open their campaign on 30 March in Guwahati against Chennai. With Curran sidelined and Shanaka still adapting to new colours, the franchise knows it must settle quickly. “Last year still stings,” Samson admitted. “We’re keen to put that right, starting Monday.”
