RR poised to add Shanaka as Curran’s injury replacement

Rajasthan Royals are close to securing Dasun Shanaka as their replacement for the injured Sam Curran ahead of IPL 2026. A senior team official confirmed that only final paperwork with Sri Lanka Cricket remains before the deal is completed. Shanaka, who went unsold at December’s Abu Dhabi mini‑auction, later entered the PSL draft and was picked by Lahore Qalandars for PKR 75 lakh.

His move marks the latest in a growing trend of players shifting from the PSL to the IPL. Zimbabwe’s Blessing Muzarabani recently terminated his Islamabad United contract to join Kolkata Knight Riders as Mustafizur Rahman’s replacement. Last year, South Africa’s Corbin Bosch made headlines when he rejected a Peshawar Zalmi offer to sign with Mumbai Indians instead.

For Shanaka, the Royals opportunity represents a timely return to the IPL stage and a significant boost for a franchise seeking depth after Curran’s setback.