sri lankan captain Dasun Shanaka He is set to quit playing in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) and join the Rajasthan Royals (RR) setup to play in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. The star all-rounder is in line to replace Sam Curran, who was traded to Chennai Super Kings (CSK) late last year. It is suspected that the England all-rounder has suffered a back injury, due to which he has been ruled out of IPL 2026.
Shanaka had listed his name for the IPL 2026 mini auction but did not find any takers. He later enrolled for the PSL auction, where Lahore Qalandars bought him for PKR 75 lakh. However, after his impressive performance in the recently concluded T20 World Cup, the 34-year-old is set to play for the inaugural IPL champions.
Shanaka has become the second player to leave PSL this year and join the IPL team. Recently, Blessing Muzarabani left his contract with Islamabad United and signed for KKR as a replacement for Mustafizur Rahman.
Last year, it was South African all-rounder Corbin Bosch who first made the move from PSL to IPL. After playing for Peshawar Zalmi, he moved to Mumbai Indians.
PSL reacted strongly and banned him for one year. However, its policy of scheduling the league alongside the IPL – ostensibly to ensure the availability of foreign players – has not gone too well, with foreign players opting to opt out of the PSL when the IPL comes calling.
Meanwhile, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Mohsin Naqvi addressed the media in Lahore on Sunday, March 22 regarding the change in PSL operations and venues and suggested that the board may take legal action against cricketers who have violated their PSL contracts.
Talking about Shanaka, the Negombo-born player led Sri Lanka in the T20 World Cup 2026. While the Lankan Lions failed to reach the semi-finals, Shanaka impressed with his performances with the bat. In six innings he scored 165 runs at a strike rate of 187.50. He also took some important wickets during the marquee event.
The Royals will begin their IPL 2026 campaign on Monday, March 30, when they take on CSK at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati.
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