The Rajasthan Royals trade of Sanju Samson for Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran presented far too much easy-to-write material. It is no surprise that Sanju Samson’s trade is the only conversation about the Rajasthan Royals. As an advantage to the Rajasthan Royals from adding Ravindra Jadeja, it gave them the ability to market and sell this team as the top players in the world. However, there was another storyline that went largely under-reported: whether the Rajasthan Royals may have sacrificed their next captain by trading for Sam Curran.
Curran is fresh off an ILT20 2025/26 campaign where he didn’t just perform, he commanded. 397 runs, seven wickets, Player of the Tournament, and a title-winning 74 in the final*. Numbers like that don’t whisper. They knock on the captain’s door.
Experience Beats Popularity Contests
Captaincy debates often drift toward star value. Jaiswal’s future. Jadeja’s seniority. Parag’s long-term grooming. But leadership isn’t an Instagram poll; it’s a CV check.
Of the current options for RR captaincy, Sam Curran is the one who has the most experience as an IPL team leader. While his experience may not be of a dynasty (he won 5 matches and lost 6 in 11 matches he played as captain of Punjab Kings from 2023 to 2024), his experience at least exceeds all other options. Jaiswal has no experience as a team leader in the IPL. Together, Jadeja and Parag have only been able to win two matches in six games they played as team leaders.
Responsibility Turns Curran Ruthless
Some players shrink under leadership. Curran does the opposite; he sharpens. Look at the data. In T20s overall, Curran averages 25.62 with the bat. As captain? That jumps to 34.71. His strike rate doesn’t dip either, meaning this isn’t cautious captaincy batting, it’s assertive control.
In the history of the IPL, there have been several instances where Kohli has displayed this unique phenomenon in that he bats to an average close to 28 when playing for his own team, while batting for his team with him as the bowler, he averages about 30. When Kohli is batting for his own team but is not the captain, he averages around 24.92, and when he is bowling for his team but is not the captain, he averages close to 34.45. That leadership has no effect on Kohli, but rather enhances Kohli, is an extremely rare quality in modern professional franchise-based cricket.
Proof Comes with Silverware
Winning habits are transferable. Ask CSK. Ask England. Curran’s trophy cabinet quietly stacks up:
- ILT20 champion 2025/26 (Captain & POTM)
- Vitality Blast 2025 — Surrey topped the group with 11 wins in 14 under his leadership
- The Hundred — Part of Oval Invincibles’ historic three-peat
- IPL 2021 — Title with CSK
Rajasthan Royals, meanwhile, have lived off the nostalgia of 2008 for nearly two decades. Finals appearances haven’t turned into dynasties. Momentum hasn’t become culture. Curran doesn’t guarantee trophies, but he brings a blueprint RR have lacked since Warne: calm authority backed by repeat success.
Sam Curran has got all of the boxes ticked as an experienced player with evidence of statistical uplift while captaining teams, and also with a history of success in winning environments. He may not be the most well-known or marketable name to come into the IPL. However, when you talk about captaincy, it is not about marketing; it is about making decisions at the highest level.
Key Takeaway
Sam Curran isn’t a stopgap captain; he’s the Rajasthan Royals’ most complete leadership solution.
FAQs
- What makes Sam Curran a strong IPL captaincy option?
His superior IPL captaincy experience, improved performance under leadership, and a proven winning pedigree.
- Why is RR’s captaincy decision for IPL 2026 crucial?
With Samson gone, RR must reset their leadership culture to avoid drifting into mid-table stagnation.
- How has Curran performed statistically as a captain?
He averages significantly higher with the bat and performs more efficiently with the ball when leading teams.
Disclaimer: This blog post reflects the author’s personal insights and analysis. Readers are encouraged to consider the perspectives shared and draw their own conclusions.
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