Rajasthan Royals head coach Kumar Sangakkara has criticized England all-rounder Sam Curran for missing the IPL 2026 season despite later appearing in county cricket for Surrey. The comments came after Rajasthan Royals were knocked out of the tournament following a seven-wicket defeat to Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 2 on Friday, bringing their campaign to an end.

Curran had joined Rajasthan Royals ahead of the season through a trade deal with Chennai Super Kings. The franchise secured the services of the England international and Ravindra Jadeja in exchange for former captain Sanju Samson. However, shortly after the move, Curran informed the Royals that he would be unavailable for the entire season due to injury, forcing the franchise to seek a replacement.

To fill the vacancy, Rajasthan Royals signed Sri Lankan all-rounder Dasun Shanaka. While acknowledging that the team was informed of Curran’s absence early enough to make alternative arrangements, Sangakkara expressed disappointment after seeing the player return to competitive cricket for Surrey during the English domestic season. The Royals coach suggested that the development raised questions about the nature and extent of the injury that had ruled Curran out of the IPL.

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Speaking after the defeat, Sangakkara said the franchise had been told Curran had suffered a season-ending injury. He noted that seeing the all-rounder feature in several matches for Surrey was frustrating, particularly given the challenges Rajasthan faced throughout the season. The former Sri Lanka captain said the team would have welcomed Curran’s presence had he been available to contribute during the campaign.

Sangakkara also highlighted the broader issue of player commitments and injury-related withdrawals in franchise cricket. He stressed the need for clear and consistent policies to ensure teams are not disadvantaged when contracted players become unavailable. While recognizing that serious injuries can legitimately end a player's season, he argued that governing bodies must continue enforcing strict standards regarding player participation and contractual obligations.

The Rajasthan Royals coach further pointed to the dedication shown by several members of the squad who remained with the team despite limited opportunities and injury setbacks. His remarks reflected frustration over a season affected by player absences and fitness concerns. Curran, meanwhile, has featured for Surrey in recent matches, contributing with the bat as he continues his return to competitive cricket after missing the IPL campaign.

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