Kumar Sangakkara accuses Sam Curran and ECB of betraying Rajasthan Royals in cru – Kumar Sangakkara Criticizes Sam Curran Over IPL Absence Controversy

A Season of What-Ifs for Rajasthan Royals

The conclusion of the Rajasthan Royals’ (RR) IPL 2026 journey, which ended in a defeat to the Gujarat Titans during the second Qualifier, has left the franchise reflecting on a season defined by both promise and personnel challenges. While the team fought valiantly throughout the tournament, the absence of key players remained a recurring theme for head coach and Director of Cricket, Kumar Sangakkara. Among those absences, none has sparked more controversy than that of English all-rounder Sam Curran.

The Curran Conundrum

Sam Curran, who had joined the Rajasthan Royals following a high-profile trade deal from the Chennai Super Kings—involving a swap that brought Ravindra Jadeja and Curran to RR in exchange for Sanju Samson—was expected to be a cornerstone of the Royals’ squad. However, prior to the start of the 2026 season, the franchise was informed that Curran would be unavailable due to a groin injury. Consequently, RR signed Sri Lankan all-rounder Dasun Shanaka as a replacement to bolster their ranks.

The situation turned contentious as the IPL progressed into its final stages. While the Rajasthan Royals were battling through the playoffs, reports surfaced that Curran was actively participating in the T20 Blast for his home county, Surrey. This development did not go unnoticed by the RR leadership, casting a shadow over the transparency regarding the player’s physical condition during the IPL window.

Sangakkara Calls for Accountability

Speaking to the media following the Royals’ exit from the tournament in New Chandigarh, a clearly frustrated Kumar Sangakkara did not hold back. Addressing the discrepancy between Curran’s reported status and his actual availability for domestic cricket, the coach expressed his disappointment.

“We were told that Sam Curran had a season-ending injury, but I think I saw him playing for Surrey for two or three games now, so that was disappointing,” Sangakkara remarked. He emphasized that the team would have preferred to have his services, particularly during the high-stakes playoff matches, had he been available to play.

The Call for Stricter BCCI Governance

The incident has prompted Sangakkara to advocate for more robust regulatory measures within the IPL. The legendary Sri Lankan wicket-keeper batsman believes that the integrity of contractual obligations is paramount for the health of the league. He highlighted that while injuries are an unfortunate but inevitable part of professional sport, there must be a clear distinction between genuine medical incapacity and a player’s choice to prioritize other commitments.

“A proper, tight policy around that is always a requirement. The BCCI has a strict policy on that. Every player goes through injuries, and if it’s a serious injury, a season-ending injury, of course, we understand,” Sangakkara explained. He contrasted Curran’s situation with other international players within the RR camp—including Adam Milne, Hetmyer, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, and Kwenna Maphaka—who remained with the squad, supported their teammates, and participated in rigorous training despite limited playing time.

The Future of Player Commitments

Sangakkara believes that the culture of the IPL relies on commitment, noting, “They’ve been here, they’ve done the hard yards. They’ve practised. They’ve carried water for the team, and they’ve really worked as hard as anyone else to support the team on this journey. It’s really up to that individual player to decide whether they want to come or not.”

The BCCI has recently implemented a policy stating that players who withdraw from the tournament for non-injury reasons may face a two-year ban. Sangakkara is firmly in favor of such measures being strictly enforced, suggesting that a more rigorous administrative framework would ultimately benefit all franchises. As the IPL continues to grow, ensuring that players honor their contractual agreements remains a central topic of discussion among coaches and stakeholders alike. For Rajasthan Royals, the focus now shifts toward rebuilding and planning for the next season, with the hope that their roster remains intact and fully committed to the franchise’s objectives.