Sangakkara calls out Sam Curran for skipping IPL 2026; backs BCCI’s strong measures
The Controversy Unfolds in the IPL 2026 Season
The Indian Premier League (IPL) is widely regarded as the pinnacle of T20 franchise cricket, but the 2026 season has been marred by discussions surrounding player availability and commitment. Following the high-stakes second qualifier match, which saw the Gujarat Titans secure a dominant seven-wicket victory to set up a final clash against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Rajasthan Royals head coach Kumar Sangakkara addressed the media. The legendary Sri Lankan wicketkeeper-batter did not hold back his frustrations regarding the absence of English all-rounder Sam Curran.
The situation involving Curran is complex. Ahead of the auctions, a high-profile trade saw Curran and Ravindra Jadeja move to the Rajasthan Royals, with Sanju Samson heading to the Chennai Super Kings. However, the Royals were left without their marquee English signing for the duration of the 2026 season.
A Question of Credibility and Commitment
Sangakkara revealed that the Rajasthan Royals management had been informed that Sam Curran was suffering from a ‘season-ending’ injury, which prevented him from participating in the IPL. This information led the franchise to sign Dasun Shanaka as a replacement to bolster their squad. However, the narrative shifted significantly when Curran was observed actively playing for Surrey in the ongoing T20 Blast tournament in England.
The statistics from the T20 Blast highlight a player in peak physical condition. Curran has featured in three games as a specialist batter, accumulating 141 runs at an impressive average of 70.5, with a top score of 71 not out. These performances have raised eyebrows within the Rajasthan Royals camp, as it directly contradicted the medical status provided to the team. Sangakkara expressed his disappointment, noting that the presence of an all-rounder of Curran’s caliber would have provided a significant advantage to his side during the playoff stages.
BCCI’s Firm Stance on Contractual Obligations
The issue of players opting out of the IPL after being drafted has become a growing concern for the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). To address this, the board has proposed and implemented stringent measures designed to curb the trend of unwarranted player pullouts. Under the current framework, players who withdraw from the league after being successfully picked in the auctions—without legitimate, verifiable reasons—could face a potential two-year ban from future participation.
This policy has already seen action, with the board imposing bans on players like Harry Brook and Ben Duckett for failing to honor their contractual commitments. Sangakkara, speaking from the perspective of an experienced coach and administrator, threw his full support behind the BCCI’s tough stance.
Why Accountability Matters for the League
According to the former Sri Lankan great, strict policies are necessary to maintain the integrity of the league. Sangakkara emphasized that the IPL thrives on the commitment of its players to their respective franchises. When players prioritize other domestic tournaments over their IPL contracts citing questionable injuries, it creates an imbalance that affects the strategic planning and financial investments of the franchises.
“The BCCI has a very strict policy, and that is exactly how it should continue,” Sangakkara remarked during the presser. He argued that enforcing these rules ensures that players take their contractual obligations seriously, which ultimately benefits every team involved. By standardizing the consequences for skipping the season, the league aims to protect the value of the IPL auction process and ensure that fans get to see the stars they expect to see when they purchase tickets.
As the IPL 2026 season nears its conclusion, the conversation sparked by Sangakkara serves as a reminder that the relationship between franchises and international cricketers is built on a foundation of professional trust. With the board signaling a zero-tolerance approach toward unverified withdrawals, the landscape of player availability in the coming years is likely to see a significant shift, ensuring that the best players remain available for the world’s most lucrative T20 tournament.
