Rajasthan Royals enter crisis mode after Sam Curran's groin injury, replacement hunt kicks off

Sam Curran's injury setback adds further pressure on the Royals as they try to rebuild their campaign and find the right balance in the squad.

Updated on: Mar 19, 2026, 21:43:27 IST

Written by Aditya Maheshwari

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England all-rounder Sam Curran has also joined the list of players who are set to miss the upcoming season of IPL due to injuries. The left-handed all-rounder has some groin issues, and according to ESPNCricinfo, he is expected to miss the entire season with his new franchise, the Rajasthan Royals. He was part of England's T20 World Cup squad and also played in the semis against India, where his team lost, and their tournament journey ended.

Sam Curran has apparently sustained a groin injury. (AP)

The Royals made a bold decision by trading their captain, Sanju Samson, in exchange for Curran and Ravindra Jadeja ahead of IPL 2026. However, with one of the key acquisitions now sidelined due to injury, the move is looking increasingly costly. Curran, who had returned to CSK for INR 2.4 crore in IPL 2025, struggled to make a significant impact, scoring just 114 runs and taking only one wicket across five matches. The injury setback adds further pressure on the Royals as they try to rebuild their campaign and find the right balance in the squad ahead of the new season.

Curran was set to play a key role in the Royals’ pace attack and strengthen the lower middle-order. With him now sidelined, the team faces the challenge of finding a replacement who can fill both roles effectively, a task that will be far from easy ahead of the new IPL season.

Also Read - CSK rocked by massive blow as Nathan Ellis ruled out of IPL 2026, frantic hunt for replacement begins

Meanwhile, Riyan Parag will lead in the upcoming season of IPL. Following Rahul Dravid's departure as head coach last season, Rajasthan will enter the next season with a new coaching group led by Kumar Sangakkara as Director of Cricket and Head Coach.

He will be supported by Vikram Rathour as lead Assistant coach, Shane Bond as fast bowling coach, Trevor Penney as assistant coach, and Sid Lahiri as performance coach.

RR IPL 2026 Schedule

March 30 - Rajasthan Royals vs Chennai Super Kings, Guwahati 7:30 PM

April 4 - Rajasthan Royals vs Gujarat Titans, Ahmedabad 7:30 PM

April 7 - Rajasthan Royals vs Mumbai Indians, Guwahati 7:30 PM

April 10 - Rajasthan Royals vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Guwahati 7:30 PM

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Aditya Maheshwari
Aditya Maheshwari is a Chief Content Producer and sports journalist with over seven years of experience covering the sports beat across formats and platforms. A cricket-first reporter by profession, he also follows football closely and considers it an integral part of his sporting journey. His work is shaped by a strong on-ground understanding of the game and an ability to translate match-day moments into clear, engaging stories that connect with readers across digital audiences. Over the years, he has developed a balanced approach that combines factual accuracy with narrative clarity, ensuring that both breaking developments and deeper insights are presented with context. Aditya has reported from the field at several major tournaments, including the ICC Cricket World Cup, the Indian Premier League, and the Indian Super League. First-hand coverage of these events has strengthened his ability to read the pulse of high-pressure contests, whether through live reporting, post-match analysis, or long-form storytelling. Working closely around teams, venues, and evolving storylines has helped him develop a strong sense of timing and editorial judgment. While cricket remains his primary focus, Aditya regularly reports on football and keeps a close watch on other sports such as tennis, hockey, and badminton. His wide-ranging interest allows him to approach stories with broader perspective, understanding how different sporting ecosystems function and evolve. Comfortable in fast-paced digital newsrooms, Aditya is well-versed in modern sports coverage, from live blogs and real-time updates to in-depth analysis and audience-focused storytelling. He believes in keeping sports writing simple, accurate, and grounded, with emphasis on clarity over complexity. At the core of his work lies a commitment to credible reporting and telling stories that go beyond the numbers on the scoreboard, highlighting the people, preparation, and pressure behind every performance.Read More

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