Rajasthan Royals suffer injury blow as star all-rounder likely to miss Indian Premier League 2026

Only a week is left for the start of the IPL 2026, which is considered a festival of cricket. The season is set to begin on March 28, and all players are joining their respective teams. Meanwhile, there are some players whose participation remains uncertain, and among them is England’s Sam Curran, who is associated with the Rajasthan Royals. Media reports suggest that due to an injury, it could be difficult for the left-handed all-rounder to take part, and he may miss the tournament.

According to a report in ESPN Cricinfo, Sam Curran has suffered a groin injury, making his participation in the upcoming season of the IPL doubtful. The English all-rounder was part of the Chennai Super Kings last season, but following a trade deal involving Sanju Samson, he joined the Rajasthan Royals along with Ravindra Jadeja. It would have been his debut season for the inaugural champions, but now the opportunity appears to have slipped away.

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Curran played his last match on March 5 in the T20 World Cup 2026 semi-final for England, where his team suffered defeat against India. This loss ended the campaign of the side led by Harry Brook in the tournament. His performance in that match was average. However, he brings significant experience and could have played an important role for the Rajasthan Royals. Curran has scored 997 runs and taken 59 wickets in the IPL.

How the injury impacts Rajasthan Royals’ balance and strategy

Sam Curran’s unavailability for the 19th season of the IPL due to injury could prove to be a major blow for the Rajasthan Royals. Curran is a skilled all-rounder with extensive T20 experience, which allows him to perform effectively in high-pressure tournaments. In the IPL, he has represented Chennai Super Kings and Punjab Kings. He was set to join a third team this season, but the injury has now become a major obstacle.

The Rajasthan squad currently lacks a genuine pace-bowling all-rounder, making Curran’s replacement a challenging task. While RR have Ravindra Jadeja and Dwayne Bravo, both are primarily spin-bowling all-rounders. As a result, Curran’s absence could pose a significant challenge for captain Riyan Parag heading into the season.

Replacement options for Rajasthan Royals ahead of IPL 2026

Sam Curran, who has featured in 64 IPL matches, is reportedly set to be ruled out, as per media reports, but no information has been revealed yet regarding his replacement. However, it is expected that in the coming days, it will become clear which player the Rajasthan Royals will choose as a replacement.

The team already has spin-bowling all-rounders in the squad, so they will need to sign a player who can contribute with both bat and fast bowling. For this role, Gulbadin Naib, James Neesham, Gerald Coetzee, and Tom Curran, the elder brother of the English all-rounder, are among the available options.