Shanaka leaves PSL behind to join Rajasthan Royals as Curran's IPL 2026 replacement
The Rajasthan Royals needed a replacement and they have gone with experience. Dasun Shanaka, Sri Lanka's T20I captain, will link up with the franchise ahead of their opening fixture against Chennai Super Kings in Guwahati on March 30. The move is reportedly in its final stages, pending clearance from Sri Lanka Cricket.
Curran's injury opens the door
Sam Curran picked up a groin injury that has ruled him out of the entire IPL 2026 season. Curran had arrived at the Royals through a trade deal that saw him and Ravindra Jadeja head from Chennai Super Kings to Rajasthan in exchange for Sanju Samson. Losing an all-rounder of his calibre before the season even starts left a hole in the squad that needed filling.
Shanaka fits the bill. He bats in the middle order, bowls medium pace and has captaincy experience at the international level. He went unsold at the IPL mini-auction in December 2025, which makes this a low-cost pickup for a franchise that gets a proven performer without having to break the bank.
Another PSL exit
This is not the first time a player has ditched a PSL contract for an IPL call-up this season. Blessing Muzarabani left the PSL to join Kolkata Knight Riders as a replacement for Mustafizur Rahman, a move that prompted the Pakistan Cricket Board to threaten legal action against the Zimbabwe fast bowler. Shanaka had been picked up by the Lahore Qalandars, and his departure continues a pattern that is becoming harder for Pakistan cricket to ignore.
The financial gap between the two leagues keeps widening. Players are making business decisions, and right now those decisions keep pointing in one direction.
What Shanaka brings to Rajasthan
Shanaka has previous IPL experience, albeit limited. He was part of Gujarat Titans' squad in 2023 as a replacement for Kane Williamson and returned to the league in 2025 as a mid-season replacement, though he did not play a match that season. Working under head coach Kumar Sangakkara and assistant Vikram Rathour, both of whom know him from Sri Lankan cricket circles, should help him settle in quickly.
Rajasthan's overseas slots are competitive, but Shanaka offers flexibility. If the surface in Guwahati asks questions of the batting lineup, he can shore up the middle order. If they need an extra seam option, he can chip in with useful overs. That versatility is exactly what you want from a replacement signing a week before the season starts.
