How did RR replacement player Dasun Shanaka perform in last IPL season?
Rajasthan Royals replaced injured Sam Curran with Sri Lanka’s Dasun Shanaka for the IPL 2026.
Another epic season of the Indian Premier League is knocking at the door, and the IPL 2026 is ready to get underway on March 28. All teams are in the final phase of their preparations, and all overseas and local stars have started joining their respective franchises.
However, some teams have been hit with injuries, which has made them look for replacements. One such injury case occurred with the Rajasthan Royals, where England’s star all-rounder Sam Curran was ruled out from the upcoming season due to a groin injury.
He was traded from CSK to Rajasthan Royals along with Ravindra Jadeja in place of Sanju Samson. However, Curran, who was a key part of England in the recently concluded T20 World Cup 2026, suffered an unfortunate injury.
As a result, the franchise signed Sri Lanka’s T20I captain Dasun Shanaka as his replacement. Notably, Shanaka registered for the IPL 2026 auction, but didn’t get a deal. Later, he was picked up by Lahore Qalandars for the upcoming PSL 2026.
How did Dasun Shanaka perform last IPL season?
Dasun Shanaka was signed by Lahore Qalandars at the Pakistan Super League 2026 auction for his base price of PKR 75 lakh. However, he withdrew from the PSL after being selected for the IPL.
Now he has been signed by RR for INR 2 crore, which is almost 8 times better than his PSL salary. Shanaka, who is known for his finishing skills, will provide strength and balance in Rajasthan’s playing 11.
He is also a more than handy medium pacer. Shanaka finished the T20 World Cup 2026 with a blazing 25-ball fifty against Pakistan, scoring an unbeaten 76 off 31 balls. He finished with 165 runs at a strike rate of 187.50.
Shanaka’s inclusion will give Rajasthan Royals a much-needed experience in the middle order. Notably, the Royals have only Ravindra Jadeja as a genuine all-rounder. Shanaka has previously been in the IPL and made his debut in 2023 for the Gujarat Titans.
He joined the team as a replacement player and played 3 games, scoring 26 runs. But how he has performed in the previous season of the IPL (IPL 2025). Notably, Shanaka joined the IPL 2025 as a replacement for Glenn Phillips.
He was with GT in the previuos season. However, he didn’t feature in a game and sat on the bench. But with Rajasthan Royals looking for someone reliable in the middle and as a finisher, Shanaka can be the game-changer. So, he will be eager to showcase his power skills in the IPL 2026.
Which team was Dasun Shanaka part of in the IPL 2025?
Shanaka joined GT for the IPL 2025 as a replacement for Glenn Phillips, but didn’t play any games.
How has Dasun Shanaka performed in the IPL?
Shanaka has played only three IPL games and scored 26 runs for GT in the IPL 2023.
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Karan Rawat is a seasoned cricket writer with a deep passion for the game and over 5 years of experience covering everything that the game can offer. He loves to share the analysis, match reports, and player profiles and tries to bring stories to life with a unique blend of statistics and storytelling. Whether breaking down Test match tactics or capturing the drama of a T20 thriller, Karan's work connects fans with the soul of the sport.