Kumar Sangakkara questions Sam Curran's decision to skip RR's IPL 2026 campaign after Surrey return: ‘Disappointing'

Kumar Sangakkara's remarks came after RR lost to Gujarat Titans in their playoff fixture, missing out on a berth in the final.

Published on: May 30, 2026, 13:29:27 IST

Written by Neelav Chakravarti

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

Kumar Sangakkara expressed his disappointment when speaking about Sam Curran's decision to skip IPL 2026 for Rajasthan Royals due to a groin injury. The former Sri Lankan player called it 'disappointing' as the all-rounder appeared for Surrey in the men's Vitality Blast on May 22, marking his return to action.

Rajasthan Royals' Kumar Sangakkara slammed Sam Curran. (REUTERS)

RR were informed that Curran had a season-ending injury, even though the player informed that he would return whenever it felt right. Sangakkara's remarks came after RR lost to Gujarat Titans in their playoff fixture, missing out on a berth in the final.

Also Read: ‘Dropped before T20 World Cup, comes back with a roar’: Shubman Gill's RR heroics show GT captain thrives under pressure

"We were told that Sam Curran had a season-ending injury, but I think I saw him playing for Surrey for two games or three games now. So that was disappointing," he said.

"We would have loved to have had him here playing for us."

Curran joined RR from Chennai Super Kings with Ravindra Jadeja, in exchange for Sanju Samson. As he wasn't available to play, RR roped in Dasun Shanaka as his replacement on March 23. That also sparked controversy, as Shanaka had to withdraw from his deal with Lahore Qalandars in PSL 2026 to join RR. PSL has banned him from the tournament for a year as a result.

Curran played only as a batter and didn't bowl in the three games he has played for Surrey. In 2024, the BCCI announced a two-year ban on players who pulled out after being picked at auctions.

"Yeah, I think a proper tight policy around that is always a requirement. The BCCI has a strict policy on that," Sangakkara said.

"Injuries, every person goes through injuries, and if it's a serious injury, a season ending injury, of course we understand."

But Sangakkara also would have liked to have Curran around the RR setup. "We've also had players like Adam Milne, [Shimron] Hetmyer, quite a few who came here and not had much of a game; Lhuan-dre Pretorius is another one, Kwena Maphaka is another one. They've been here, they've done the hard yards, they've practiced, they've carried water for the team, and they've really worked as hard as anyone else to support the team in this journey," he added.

Curran also revealed that he had been managing the groin problem throughout the T20 World Cup. "It's an injury that I've kind of been battling with a little bit," he said.

"It has gradually got fractionally worse. I went for a couple of scans and it showed reasonable damage, so I had to make the tough decision. It was hindering me quite a bit," he added.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Neelav Chakravarti
Neelav Chakravarti has been part of the digital sports team at Hindustan Times since 2022, where he covers a wide range of disciplines, including chess, cricket, football, and Olympic sports. Working in a fast-paced digital newsroom, he regularly handles live blogs, breaking updates, and trending stories, combining speed with clarity to keep readers informed in real time. Chess remains both a professional beat and a personal passion for Neelav, and he closely tracks major international tournaments, player narratives, and emerging talents. He is particularly fascinated by the patience, calculation, and strategic depth the game demands, often exploring the psychological side of competition in his writing. Beyond sports journalism, Neelav has a deep interest in visual storytelling and filmmaking, actively participating in film festivals and engaging with independent cinema. He is especially drawn to films that capture the subtleties of everyday life and human relationships, appreciating storytelling that balances realism with emotional depth. This creative interest complements his approach to sports coverage, where he enjoys highlighting the human stories behind performances and results. A history enthusiast by academic training, Neelav holds a bachelor’s degree in the subject and maintains a sustained interest in ancient and medieval Indian history, particularly in cultural and social transitions across eras. His curiosity about the past often shapes his perspective on contemporary narratives and long-form storytelling. When he isn’t tracking scores or developing storylines, Neelav enjoys spending time over the chessboard, relaxing with his cats, or listening to the Empire podcast by Anita Anand and William Dalrymple. He also enjoys reading long-form sports writing that explores the emotional and cultural layers of sport, while maintaining a quiet routine that balances reading, reflection, and occasional time with friends.Read More

Get live cricket scores, match updates, schedules, results and ICC rankings. Follow the latest news, statistics and performances of top teams and players on Hindustan Times.