Injury-hit Royals eye Shanaka as Curran replacement

The Rajasthan Royals are set to sign Sri Lankan all-rounder Dasun Shanaka as a replacement for England’s Sam Curran, who is reportedly ruled out due to injury. Shanaka, a fast-bowling all-rounder with similar attributes, is seen as a like-for-like option. The Sri Lankan is expected to join the squad soon after completing his No Objection Certificate (NOC) formalities.

Shanaka has carved out a niche for himself in the IPL as a recurring injury replacement signing. He was previously picked up by the Gujarat Titans in a similar role, underlining how franchises view him as a reliable backup option who can slot into multiple roles. His ability to contribute with both bat and ball, along with leadership experience as Sri Lanka’s former captain, adds value even if he isn’t always a first-choice starter.

In terms of IPL numbers, Shanaka has featured in 3 matches, scoring 26 runs at a strike rate of around 100, without picking up a wicket so far. While those figures are modest, they don’t fully reflect his T20 pedigree, where he is known for late-order hitting and useful seam bowling. Rajasthan Royals will be hoping he can translate that international experience into impact performances as they deal with the absence of Curran