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The Sri Lankan all-rounder Dasun Shanaka has replaced injured Sam Curran at the Rajasthan Royals for the upcoming IPL 2026 season, which is set to begin on March 28.

Sam Curran, who joined Rajasthan Royals on a trade with CSK, where the Kings acquired Sanju Samson for Jadeja and England all-rounder, has been ruled out of the tournament due to a groin injury.

“Sam brings immense value with both bat and ball,” Kumar Sangakkara, director of cricket and head coach, RR, said. “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.”

Under the captaincy of Dasun Shanaka, Sri Lanka got eliminated in the super 8s stages of the 2026 T20 World Cup. He scored 165 runs, including 76* runs of 31 deliveries against Pakistan and picked three wickets.

Shanaka will be joining the Rajasthan Royals for INR 2 crore and has informed his PSL team, Lahore Qalandars, of his decision.

On the other hand, Qalandars are replacing Shanaka with Australia all-rounder Daniel Sams.

Pakistan Cricket Board chief Mohsin Naqvi said, the board will pursue the cricketers who cancelled their PSL contracts to join the IPL.

Dasun Shanaka will be the second player for this season to shift to IPL from PSL if the Rajasthan Royals clinch the all-rounder. Earlier, Blessing Muzarabani pulled out of a contract with Islamabad United of PSL and joined Kolkata Knight Riders, who joined the side in the void left by Mustafizur Rahman.

Dasun Shanaka will be joining the list of strong overseas players – Shimron Hetmyer, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Donovan Ferreira, Jofra Archer, Nandre Burger, Kwena Maphaka and Adam Milne.

In previous edition, Rajasthan Royals did finish in the second bottom of the IPL 2025 points table and will be aiming to bounce back under new captaincy.

As per the IPL 2026 schedule, Rajasthan Royals will play their first game against Chennai Super Kings on March 30 at Barsapara Stadium, Guwahati.