With the start of IPL 2026 approaching it’s reported that Dasun Shanaka will now take the place of Sam Curran who is injured for Rajasthan Royals, this seems close to being finalised.
Why Dasun Shanaka is Replacing Sam Curran
Sam Curran injured his groin and will not play for the Rajasthan Royals this season. The injury creates a hole in the Rajasthan Royals roster as a result of a huge pre-auction transaction between the Super Kings and Royals before the season started. To replace Sam, the RR squad has decided to bring Dasun Shanaka, who is known for his batting and medium-pace bowling skills.
Dasun Shanaka Opts Out of PSL Contract
Before his move to the Indian Premier League, Dasun Shanaka has officially informed his franchise for the Pakistan Super League, Lahore Qalandars, about his decision to pull out of the tournament. In response, the Lahore Qalandars have signed Daniel Sams to replace Shanaka.
Recent Form Boosts Dasun Shanaka’s Selection
Dasun Shanaka arrives at IPL 2026 in top form with a series of impactful performances in recent matches:
- He scored a quick 50 off 20 balls against Oman.
- He played a blistering unbeaten 76 off 31 balls against Pakistan.
Dasun Shanaka, a seasoned finisher and previous Sri Lankan skipper, will bring a wealth of expertise and explosive power to the Rajasthan Royals side.
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Dasun Shanaka’s IPL Experience
Although Dasun Shanaka lacks enough exposure in the Indian Premier League, he has played in the league earlier:
- Played for Gujarat Titans in 2023
- Appeared in 3 matches
Although he did not achieve much success in his earlier stint in the league, his current form indicates that he might be more successful this season.
Trend of Players Switching from PSL to IPL
Dasun Shanaka isn’t the only player who is switching from the PSL to the IPL this season; many players have done so as well. Blessing Muzarabani has opted out of his contract with Islamabad United and signed with Kolkata Knight Riders instead of remaining in his original contract with Islamabad United, which would have allowed him to remain in the PSL while receiving a trade for Mustafa Rahman. This is a strong signal in the direction of players placing more emphasis on playing in the IPL than in the PSL.
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Rajasthan Royals Squad Strength for IPL 2026
However, with the addition of Shanaka, Rajasthan Royals now have a strong lineup of overseas players, including:
Shimron Hetmyer
Jofra Archer
Adam Milne
Nandre Burger
Rajasthan Royals IPL 2026 Opening Match
Following their disappointing end to last season’s tournament, Rajasthan Royals will kick-off the IPL 2026 with their first match against Chennai Super Kings on March 30, 2026, in Guwahati. They will be relying heavily on Shanaka to quickly produce results.
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