Sri Lanka T20I captain Dasun Shanaka has been confirmed as a replacement for Sam Curran at Rajasthan Royals for the upcoming IPL 2026 season. The franchise announced the signing on Monday, March 23.
Curran has been ruled out of the tournament due to a groin injury. The England all-rounder had been one of the two players acquired by Rajasthan Royals through a trade last year. Shanaka has been brought in as a like-for-like replacement and will join the squad on a contract worth Rs 2 crore.
“We are disappointed to lose a player of Sam’s calibre so close to the start of the season,” said Kumar Sangakkara, Director of Cricket and Head Coach of Rajasthan Royals. He added, “Sam brings immense value with both bat and ball. However, we are pleased to have found an ideal replacement in Dasun Shanaka, a finisher with the bat and a quality all-rounder who helps maintain the balance of our side.”
Shanaka had gone unsold at the IPL auction last year before being picked by Lahore Qalandars for the current Pakistan Super League season. The seam-bowling all-rounder was expected to represent the Qalandars but, similar to Blessing Muzarabani — who has joined Kolkata Knight Riders — opted to participate in the IPL instead. Shanaka has informed his Pakistan Super League franchise of his decision to switch tournaments.
His switch makes him the second player in recent days to leave a PSL contract for an IPL deal after Muzarabani withdrew from Islamabad United to join Kolkata Knight Riders as a replacement for Mustafizur Rahman, who had been released following BCCI instructions linked to geopolitical tensions between India and Bangladesh.
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The Sri Lanka skipper brings significant experience in the shortest format, having played 131 T20 Internationals. He has scored 1,912 runs at an average of 20.55 and a strike rate of 128.40.
With the ball, Shanaka has taken 46 wickets at an average of 25.10 and a strike rate of 18.2, with best figures of 3 for 16.
Meanwhile, Lahore Qalandars have named Australia all-rounder Daniel Sams as Shanaka’s replacement. PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi recently indicated that the board would take action against players such as Shanaka and Blessing Muzarabani for opting out of the PSL to take up IPL opportunities.
Shanaka joins an overseas contingent at Rajasthan Royals that also includes Shimron Hetmyer, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Donovan Ferreira, Jofra Archer, Nandre Burger, Kwena Maphaka and Adam Milne.
Rajasthan Royals, who finished second from bottom last season, will begin their IPL 2026 campaign on March 30 with an away fixture against Chennai Super Kings in Guwahati.
