England and Surrey all-rounder Sam Curran has pulled out of the 2026 Indian Premier League and says there is no confirmed date for his return due to a groin injury.
Curran was set to play for Rajasthan Royals this season but withdrew after scans revealed damage requiring rest and rehabilitation. The 27-year-old had been managing the injury during England’s T20 World Cup campaign, where he featured in all eight matches and impressed, especially with his death bowling against Nepal and Italy.
“It’s an injury I’ve been managing for a while, but it gradually worsened,” Curran said. “The scans showed reasonable damage, so I had to make the tough decision to step back. Missing the IPL is disappointing, but my focus now is rehab and getting strong and fit for whenever I’m ready.”
With his withdrawal medically justified, Curran faces no disciplinary issues, unlike England teammate Ben Duckett, who also pulled out of the IPL to focus on his Test career.
Curran appeared at St Albans Cricket Club during the England and Wales Cricket Board’s Get Set Weekend, helping prepare club grounds for the new season and engaging with junior players.
He is unlikely to feature in the County Championship for Surrey, which begins next week, and remains uncertain about leading his county in the T20 Blast, scheduled for late May. Curran emphasized that his return will depend on his symptoms and overall fitness.
“This is my first proper rehab period back in England,” he said. “It will be tough to watch the IPL, but my priority is making sure I’m ready for Surrey and future England matches.”
