Dasun Shanaka snubs PSL, set to join Rajasthan Royals as Sam Curran’s replacement

BIG news from IPL. Sri Lanka’s T20 captain, Dasun Shanaka, is coming to the Rajasthan Royals (RR) for IPL 2026. He is replacing injured England all-rounder Sam Curran. And guess what? Shanaka had to LEAVE his PSL contract with Lahore Qalandars to join IPL. That’s like choosing chocolate over vanilla, a big decision. Let me tell you everything.

Who is Dasun Shanaka?

Dasun Shanaka is the captain of the Sri Lanka T20 team. He is 34 years old (turning 35 in September). He is a POWER-HITTING all-rounder – he can hit SIXES and also bowl medium pace.

He has played 103 T20 Internationals for Sri Lanka, scoring 1,647 runs at a strike rate of 123.72 and taking 30 wickets. He is known for finishing matches – like in the 2024 T20 World Cup, he hit 68 runs in 35 balls against South Africa.

🚨 DASUN SHANAKA JOINS RAJASTHAN ROYALS AS SAM CURRAN’S REPLACEMENT. 🚨

- Shanaka has opted out of the PSL to join IPL. pic.twitter.com/wF7WbAyf9I
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) March 22, 2026

🚨 PV SINDHU STORMS INTO SEMIS FOLKS! 💥

She won the first game 21-11 against the Reigning World Champion Akane Yamaguchi of Japan 🇯🇵, Later Akane had to retire due to injury concern!

ALL THE BEST FOR SEMIS, SINDHU! 🇮🇳💙 pic.twitter.com/G0riVSbr0M
— The Khel India (@TheKhelIndia) January 9, 2026

Why is Shanaka Coming to RR?

Rajasthan Royals needed a replacement for Sam Curran (England all-rounder). Sam Curran has a suspected groin injury and may miss IPL 2026. So RR looked for a like-for-like replacement – a left-handed all-rounder who can bowl and bat. They chose Shanaka.

Shanaka was UNSOLD at the IPL mini-auction in Abu Dhabi in December 2025. Nobody bought him. But now RR called him, and he said YES.

Shanaka SNUBS PSL

Here’s the DRAMA. Shanaka had already signed a contract with Lahore Qalandars for PSL 2026 (Pakistan Super League). PSL starts in April 2026.

But when RR called, Shanaka WITHDREW from his PSL contract. He chose IPL over PSL.

This is a BIG setback for PSL just days before the tournament begins. PSL has lost ANOTHER big player.

Second Player to Snub PSL for IPL

Shanaka is NOT the first. Earlier, Zimbabwe pacer Blessing Muzarabani also pulled out of his Islamabad United deal to join Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) as a replacement for injured Mustafizur Rahman.

So two players have LEFT PSL for IPL in the same week. That’s like friends leaving you for a better party.

Why Players Prefer IPL?

Simple reason: MONEY and EXPOSURE.

League	Salary	Global Audience
IPL	Very high ($1-2 million for top players)	Watched in 100+ countries
PSL	Lower ($100-200k for top players)	Mostly watched in Pakistan

IPL also gives players a chance to play with the best cricketers in the world – Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni, Rohit Sharma. And the owners are RICH.

Shanaka's Recent Form

Shanaka is in GOOD form. In 2026 for Sri Lanka:

281 runs in T20Is at a strike rate of 138.42

7 wickets at an economy of 7.89

Scored 68 off 35 vs South Africa

Hit 4 sixes in the final over vs Australia in 2025.

He can be PERFECT for RR’s lower middle order – finish matches with big hits.

Sam Curran's Injury

Sam Curran got injured during England’s T20 World Cup 2026 campaign. He played all matches but after the tournament, scans showed a groin injury.

Curran is a KEY player for England in all formats. He was the Player of the Tournament in the 2022 T20 World Cup. But now he needs rest.

RR management decided to get a replacement rather than wait for Curran’s recovery.

🚨 DASUN SHANAKA JOINS RAJASTHAN ROYALS AS SAM CURRAN’S REPLACEMENT. 🚨

- Shanaka has opted out of the PSL to join IPL. pic.twitter.com/wF7WbAyf9I
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) March 22, 2026

🚨 DASUN SHANAKA OUT OF PSL FOR IPL 🚨

Dasun Shanaka has decided to choose the IPL over the PSL. He was picked by Lahore for PKR 2.2 Crore

He will replace Sam Curran in the Rajasthan Royals for INR 2 Crore 👏🏻

Another day, Another humiliation for PSL 😂pic.twitter.com/8WkRgBdnLO
— Fan Account Richard Kettlebourogh (@RichKettle07) March 22, 2026

RR's Squad for IPL 2026

Rajasthan Royals already have:

Batters: Vaibhav Suryavanshi (14-year-old star), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Riyan Parag (captain)

Wicketkeepers: Sanju Samson (TRADED to CSK? Wait, he was traded to CSK. So RR needs a new keeper.)

All-rounders: Ravindra Jadeja (back after 17 years), Dasun Shanaka (new), Shimron Hetmyer, Donovan Ferreira

Bowlers: Trent Boult, Yuzvendra Chahal, Sandeep Sharma, Kuldeep Sen

But wait – Sanju Samson is NOT in RR anymore. He was traded to the Chennai Super Kings in February 2026. So RR needs a captain. Riyan Parag is the new captain.

Shanaka’s Role in RR

Shanaka will likely bat at No. 6 or 7:

If early wickets fall, he can stabilize

If overs are left, he can hit SIXES

He can bowl 2-3 overs of medium pace

He brings LEADERSHIP experience (captain of Sri Lanka)

What About PSL?

PSL 2026 starts in April in Pakistan. They lost:

Dasun Shanaka (Lahore Qalandars)

Blessing Muzarabani (Islamabad United)

PSL organizers are DISAPPOINTED. They tried to make the PSL attractive, but players still prefer the IPL.

Off the field, Royal Challengers Bengaluru have also been making headlines with major developments behind the scenes. The franchise is reportedly entering the final stages of a high-value sale, with its valuation reaching massive figures that highlight the growing commercial power of the IPL. This potential ownership change has created huge buzz among fans and investors alike. If you want to know more about the deal, pricing, and what it means for RCB’s future, read the full update here:

My Thoughts

You know what I think? Players have the right to choose where they play. IPL pays more, gives more exposure, and lets them play with the best in the world. It’s business.

But PSL should not feel bad. They still have great players – Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, and Mohammad Rizwan. PSL is still exciting.

For RR fans, Shanaka is a GOOD addition. He is experienced, hits big sixes, bowls useful overs. With young captain Riyan Parag, Shanaka can GUIDE the team.

RR first match: March 30 vs CSK in Guwahati. Will Shanaka play? We’ll see.