Rajasthan Royals' Overseas Options If Sam Curran Gets Ruled Out Of IPL 2026

Rajasthan Royals during IPL 2025. Credits: afp.com

The Indian Premier League (IPL 2026) is just eight days away, and the inaugural champions, Rajasthan Royals, have already kick-started their net sessions with a bang. RR had started making a headway even before the mini-auctions, when they traded in Sam Curran and Ravindra Jadeja.

In a historic trade with the Chennai Super Kings, they let go of their former skipper, Sanju Samson, in exchange for two international all-rounders. While Jadeja is already up and running in the nets, the Englishman is down with a groin injury. Curran is reportedly set to miss the whole IPL season.

Without the services of Sam Curran, Rajasthan Royals would be forced to rejig their whole middle order as the allrounder had brought balance to the playing XI. Now, the team will look to rejig their plans to find their best possible core of foreign players ahead of the start of IPL 2026.

1) Shimron Hetmyer

Shimron Hetmyer has been featuring for Rajasthan Royals since IPL 2022, and he has scored close to 1000 runs for the franchise. Moreover, the aggressive southpaw has played various match-winning knocks for the Royals.

However, Hetmyer failed to live upto the expectation, as he had a below-par IPL 2026, where he alongside Dhruv Patel lost multiple games from winning situations. Having said that, the Guyanese batter was at his gung ho best in the 2026 T20 World Cup, scoring 248 runs at a strike rate of 186.47 while batting a number three.

It would be interesting to see where Rajasthan Royals slot Shimron Hetmyer in their playing XI. But, in their probable starting team, he would be batting at number 5 or 6.

2) Jofra Archer

Jofra Archer is fit and roaring, as seen in the T20 World Cup 2026. The fiery Englishman has been in top fitness and form since the previous season. Although he was able to take just 11 wickets in 12 games in IPL 2025.

In the recently concluded megaevent, Archer was impeccable with his accuracy and raw pace, taking 11 wickets in eight innings.

Not just overseas, but Jofra Archer is going to RR's greatest bet in bowling heading into this season.

3) Nandre Burger

Nandre Burger is vicious, he is accurate, and the South African seamer has the ability to run through any batting attack on his given day. The speedster has already played six IPL matches for the Royals two years ago.

Although he has played a handful of games and was injured with a hamstring injury during the India series. The left-arm quick can bring a whole new dimension while pairing up with Archer and Sandeep Sharma in the pace attack.

4) Lhuan dre Pretorius

Last but not least on the list is Lhuan dre Pretorius, who plays for Rajasthan Royals' sister franchise in the SA20. Known for his explosive batting style at the top of the order, the 19-year-old was fast-tracked by South Africa last season.

He has already made his debut in the IPL, but didn't bat then. With Sam Curran out, he can come in, slotting in a rather Indian heavy batting line-up. He will most likely bat at three, but he can be used as a floater.