The End of Rajasthan Royals’ IPL 2026 Campaign
Rajasthan Royals’ journey in the IPL 2026 season came to a close on Friday, following a tough loss against Gujarat Titans (GT) in Qualifier 2. The defeat marked the end of their hopes for reaching the final, and it sparked questions about the availability of English all-rounder Sam Curran, who was notably absent throughout most of the season.
Despite the disappointment, there were moments of brilliance from Rajasthan’s players. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi delivered a standout performance, scoring 96 runs off just 47 balls. His innings helped Rajasthan post a challenging total of 214/6. However, the target proved too much for the team, as Gujarat’s opening pair took control of the chase right from the start.
GT captain Shubman Gill scored his first century of the season, while Sai Sudharsan continued his impressive form with another polished innings. The two batsmen formed a massive 167-run partnership, which proved decisive in Gujarat’s victory. They chased the target in just 18.4 overs, winning by seven wickets.
Coach Expresses Frustration Over Sam Curran’s Absence
After the defeat, head coach Kumar Sangakkara voiced his frustration regarding the team’s inability to fully utilize Sam Curran. Curran had been acquired through a trade involving Sanju Samson, and his absence was felt throughout the season.
Curran reportedly skipped the IPL 2026 after filing a report about a suspected groin injury. However, he made appearances for Surrey in the T20 Blast 2026, which raised questions about the validity of his injury claim. He had previously played successfully in the T20 World Cup 2026 before the tournament began.
To fill the gap left by Curran, Rajasthan brought in Sri Lankan all-rounder Dasun Shanaka. Despite this move, the situation became more complicated when Curran later appeared in the T20 Blast 2026.
Sangakkara addressed the issue during the post-match presser, stating: “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. 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’s Performance in the T20 Blast
Curran has already made three appearances in T20 Blast matches for Surrey, even though the league overlaps with the crucial closing stages of the IPL 2026. He has been captaining the team and has only played as a batter, not as a bowler.
The 27-year-old has started the tournament strongly, scoring 141 runs in three matches at an average of 70.50 and a strike rate of 143.88. His best score so far is 71 not out, and he remains unbeaten in those matches.
Key Players for Rajasthan
Throughout the IPL 2026 season, Rajasthan relied heavily on their top-order trio of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Dhruv Jurel. When these batters failed to deliver, only Donovan Ferreira provided consistent support.
The franchise also experimented with middle-order options such as Shimron Hetmyer, Dasun Shanaka, and Shubham Dubey. However, none of these players consistently contributed to the team’s success. This lack of versatility highlighted the need for a player like Curran, who could have strengthened both the batting and bowling departments alongside Jofra Archer.
Playoff Success and Future Challenges
Despite these challenges, Rajasthan managed to secure a playoff berth and defeated Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Eliminator before being eliminated by Gujarat Titans.
The BCCI has introduced regulations targeting overseas players who withdraw shortly before the IPL season starts. However, Curran’s case remains complex due to the official injury claim. If the BCCI decides to review the situation, Curran’s camp could argue that his recovery progressed faster than expected before the T20 Blast began.
Additionally, his limited role as a batter in the T20 Blast could strengthen their argument. While the controversy surrounding Curran continues, Rajasthan will look to regroup and prepare for future seasons.
