Curran had pulled out of the IPL 2026 with a ‘season-ending’ groin injury.
Rajasthan Royals (RR) head coach Kumar Sangakkara expressed disappointment after Sam Curran, who pulled out of the IPL 2026 with a ‘season-ending’ groin injury, was seen playing for Surrey in the T20 Blast.
Ahead of the season, Curran moved to RR as part of a blockbuster trade with the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), which also saw Ravindra Jadeja head to the Royals in exchange for Sanju Samson.
The England all-rounder withdrew from the IPL due to a groin injury sustained during the T20 World Cup 2026, with the franchise eventually announcing Sri Lanka’s Dasun Shanaka as a replacement.
Shanaka played seven matches for RR, including their playoff exit in the second qualifier against Gujarat Titans (GT) in Mullanpur on Friday (May 29).
Speaking during the post-match press conference, RR head coach Kumar Sangakkara publicly expressed disappointment after Sam Curran was spotted turning out for Surrey in the T20 Blast while the IPL was still ongoing, despite the franchise being told the Englishman had a season-ending injury.
"We were told that Sam Curran had a season-ending injury," Sangakkara told reporters. "But I think I saw him playing for Surrey for two or three games now. So that was disappointing. We would have loved to have had him here playing for us. But I think (it was good) having Dasun Shanaka as a replacement when we were told early."
Curran has led Surrey in all three games so far even though he hasn't bowled yet. Earlier, he told the media that there is no timeframe on his return to action.
"It's an injury that I've kind of been battling with a little bit," Curran had said. "It has gradually got fractionally worse. I went for a couple of scans and it showed reasonable damage, so I had to make the tough decision. It was hindering me quite a bit. To miss the IPL was very disappointing, and now I guess I just have a rehab block of trying to get strong and fit for whenever it feels right. It will be tough to watch the IPL because I know that I'd like to have been there, but injuries are part of sport."
While Sangakkara acknowledged that injuries happen, he emphasized the importance of BCCI policies and contractual obligations, especially for players picked in the auction.
"I think a proper tight policy around that is always a requirement. And the BCCI has a strict policy on that. Every person goes through injuries. And if it's a serious injury, a season-ending injury, of course we understand. We've had quite a few injuries," the RR head coach stated.
"We've also had players like Adam Milne, (Shimron) Hetmyer, quite a few who've come here, and not had much of a game. Lhuan-dre Pretorius is another. Kwena Maphaka is another one.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. So, I mean, it's really up to that individual player to decide whether they want to come or not. But I think the BCCI policy around it is very strict now. And that's the way it should continue to be very strict. To make sure that contractual obligations are met properly and genuinely. And I think every side in the IPL will benefit from that," he remarked.