3 reasons why Rajasthan Royals must consider appointing Sam Curran as captain for IPL 2026

The Rajasthan Royals (RR) were involved in one of the biggest trades in IPL history ahead of the 2026 auction. The franchise traded their captain, Sanju Samson, in exchange for all-rounders Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran. Most of the discussion has focused on Jadeja and Samson. However, RR’s signing of Sam Curran has gone largely unnoticed. The 27-year-old recently impressed everyone with his outstanding performance in the International League T20 (ILT20) 2025/26, both as a player and as a captain.

Curran finished the tournament as the Player of the Tournament. He scored 397 runs and took seven wickets in 12 matches. He also played a key role in the final, scoring an unbeaten 74 off 51 balls and leading the Desert Vipers to the title against MI Emirates. With Samson no longer part of the squad, RR are now looking for a new captain for IPL 2026, which is only a few months away.

Keeping this in mind, here are three reasons why Rajasthan Royals should consider appointing Sam Curran as their captain for IPL 2026.

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1. Most Experienced IPL Captain in the Squad

Sam Curran is the most experienced IPL captain among the current Rajasthan Royals squad. Names like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Riyan Parag, and Ravindra Jadeja have been suggested as possible captaincy options, but none of them have a strong leadership record in the IPL. Jaiswal has never captained an IPL side, while Jadeja and Parag have modest records, with just two wins in six matches as captains.

In comparison, Curran has led the Punjab Kings at different stages during the 2023 and 2024 IPL seasons. He has captained 11 IPL matches, recording five wins and six losses. Based on experience and results, Curran stands out as the most reliable captaincy option available to RR for the 2026 season.

2. Captaincy Brings Out the Best in Sam Curran

Sam Curran has often delivered his best performances when entrusted with leadership roles. This was evident in the recent ILT20, where he excelled both as a player and as captain. He also enjoyed a highly successful campaign as Surrey’s captain in the 2025 Vitality Blast.

During that tournament, Curran scored runs at an average of over 26 with a strike rate of 142.57 and took 21 wickets in 15 matches. His leadership played a key role in Surrey finishing at the top of their group with 11 wins from 14 games. Statistically, Curran’s T20 batting average improves significantly when he captains a side, rising to 34.71 compared to 25.62 when playing without captaincy duties.

A similar trend is visible in the IPL. As captain, Curran has averaged close to 28 with the bat and under 30 with the ball, which is notably better than his overall IPL figures. Appointing him as captain could help RR get the best possible output from the all-rounder.

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3. Proven Winner with Strong Leadership Credentials

Sam Curran has consistently been part of successful teams in T20 cricket. Apart from his recent ILT20 triumph, he played a key role in the Oval Invincibles’ title-winning campaigns in the Hundred, including their third consecutive title last season. He was also a member of Chennai Super Kings’ title-winning squad in IPL 2021 and was named Player of the Tournament during England’s victorious T20 World Cup campaign in 2022.

Rajasthan Royals have been searching for their second IPL title since their historic win in 2008. Although they have come close on a few occasions, consistency has often eluded them. With Curran’s winning experience and leadership qualities, RR may find the direction and momentum needed to change their fortunes in the 2026 IPL season.