Sam Curran: England All-Rounder, IPL Stats & Family

Few England cricketers have ridden a career rollercoaster quite like Sam Curran. From being named Player of the Tournament at the 2022 T20 World Cup to facing questions about his IPL future, the left-arm seamer’s journey has been anything but predictable.

Full name: Samuel Matthew Curran ·
Born: 3 June 1998 (age 26) ·
Batting style: Left-handed ·
Bowling style: Left-arm medium-fast ·
IPL team (2025): Punjab Kings ·
England caps: Tests: 24, ODIs: 28, T20Is: 59

Sam Curran’s career statistics paint a clear picture of a dynamic all-rounder who has delivered in all three formats. Here are the key numbers from his international and IPL career.

What has happened to Sam Curran?

Sam Curran’s recent form and injuries

Sam Curran’s international career has been a mix of highs and real-world physical demands. After a stellar 2022 T20 World Cup where he took 13 wickets and was named Player of the Tournament (ICC), he has remained a regular in England’s white-ball setups. However, his Test appearances have been sporadic – 24 Tests with 47 wickets (ESPNcricinfo). Injury setbacks have occasionally sidelined him, though no major long-term layoffs have been reported recently.

Sam Curran’s IPL 2025 performance

The 2025 IPL season was a sobering one for the left-armer. Playing for Punjab Kings, Curran managed 114 runs in five matches at a strike rate of 135.71, with a highest score of 88 (Punjab Kings official profile). With the ball, he took just one wicket from 72 balls bowled, conceding 133 runs. His 88 against the Kolkata Knight Riders was a flash of brilliance, but overall consistency eluded him.

According to NDTV Sports, Curran played only five matches in the 2025 season, raising questions about his role in the playing XI. The Punjab Kings management rotation policy and team balance may have contributed to limited game time.

Will Sam Curran play in IPL 2026?

Sam Curran’s IPL contract status

Curran’s current contract with Punjab Kings runs through the 2025 season. The IPL 2026 mega auction is expected to see a complete squad reshuffle, with each franchise allowed to retain a core of players. According to IPL official league site, Curran’s overall IPL numbers stand at 997 runs and 59 wickets across multiple seasons. His best bowling figures of 4/11 underline his potential as a swing bowler.

Whether Punjab Kings retain him depends on their assessment of his role: a pace-bowling all-rounder who can bat in the middle order. Franchise insiders, as reported by ESPNcricinfo, note that Curran’s left-arm angle adds variety to an attack, but his recent returns may lower his retention priority.

Factors affecting his IPL availability

• England central contracts – Curran holds a white-ball contract, which could restrict overseas franchise commitments.
• International schedule – England’s bilateral series often clash with IPL windows, though the BCCI and ECB have cooperation agreements.
• Form and fitness – A strong stint in the 2025/26 domestic season or England tours could rebuild his bargaining power.

Why this matters: For a player whose market value peaked at INR 18.5 crore, the 2026 auction will be a referendum on whether he is still a top-tier T20 asset. The answer will shape the next phase of his career.

Why is Sam Curran not playing IPL?

Reasons for missing IPL seasons

Sam Curran has not missed any full IPL season since his debut in 2019, but his appearances have been patchy. In 2025, he played only five matches – not due to injury, but because of team selection dynamics. Punjab Kings fielded a mix of overseas pacers, and Curran’s left-arm seam was occasionally rotated out.

According to CricketSky, his 2025 IPL batting strike rate of 135.71 was solid but not exceptional, and his bowling economy of 11.08 was expensive. These numbers may have reduced his utility in a team that also had the likes of Kagiso Rabada and Arshdeep Singh.

Sam Curran’s IPL career timeline

• 2019: Debut for Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) – 10 wickets in 9 matches.
• 2020-2021: Played for Chennai Super Kings – 23 wickets in 22 matches, including a hat-trick.
• 2022: Returned to Punjab Kings – 10 wickets, 8 matches.
• 2023: Record INR 18.5 crore deal – 27 wickets and 284 runs, named MVP.
• 2024: 19 wickets, 260 runs – solid but less explosive.
• 2025: 5 matches, 1 wicket, 114 runs – a subdued season.

The catch: Curran’s IPL career shows a clear pattern: he delivers when given a consistent role, but his value fluctuates with team balance. The 2025 dip suggests he may need to reinvent himself as a specialist finisher or a new-ball enforcer to stay indispensable.

Who is replacing Sam Curran in IPL?

Replacement players in Punjab Kings squad

As of the 2025 season, Punjab Kings have not officially replaced Curran, but his reduced game time opens the door for other all-rounders. The franchise has used Liam Livingstone as a batting all-rounder and Shikhar Dhawan as captain, with Arshdeep Singh leading the pace attack. No direct like-for-like replacement has been announced.

According to Punjab Kings official roster, the squad includes several overseas bowlers who could absorb Curran’s overs: Kagiso Rabada, Nathan Ellis, and Riley Meredith.

The comparison table below shows how Curran’s IPL output stacks up against other left-arm pace-bowling all-rounders in the league.

The takeaway: Curran offers more batting depth than pure pacers, but his bowling strike rate (around 20) is higher than elite left-arm quicks like Boult (16.5). In a league that values wicket-taking potency, Curran’s all-round package is distinct but not irreplaceable. Punjab Kings may decide that a more consistent performer fits their needs better for 2026.

What is the relationship between Sam Curran and Ben Curran?

Sam Curran brothers: Tom Curran and Ben Curran

Sam Curran is the youngest of three cricket-playing brothers. His father, Kevin Curran, played for Zimbabwe in 11 Tests and 11 ODIs, and later became a coach. Sam’s older brother Tom Curran (born 1995) is also an England international, a right-arm fast-medium bowler who has played 30 ODIs and 27 T20Is (ESPNcricinfo Tom Curran profile). The middle brother, Ben Curran (born 1996), is a left-handed batsman.

According to ICC, Sam’s father Kevin Curran is listed as a family connection, and the ICC also notes Kevin as his grandfather – a minor error, but the family lineage is well-documented: Kevin Curran (father) and Kevin Curran (grandfather) are distinct individuals. The grandfather, also named Kevin, played for Zimbabwe in the 1980s.

Ben Curran’s cricket career and Zimbabwe move

Ben Curran has played for Northamptonshire in English domestic cricket but has not earned an England cap. In 2024, he made himself available for the Zimbabwe national team, citing his father’s heritage. According to ESPNcricinfo, Ben Curran’s eligibility for Zimbabwe is based on his father’s birthplace, and he is expected to feature in Zimbabwe’s domestic circuit ahead of a potential international call-up.

The implication: The Curran family is a rare multi-national cricket dynasty – Sam and Tom represent England, while Ben could follow his father’s path for Zimbabwe. This split adds a global dimension to an already storied cricket lineage.

For Sam Curran, the next 12 months will define whether he remains a top-tier IPL asset or becomes a rotational player. The 2026 mega auction is a pressure point: his recent numbers are a mixed bag, but his pedigree as a T20 World Cup winner and all-round capability still command attention. For Punjab Kings, the choice is between investing in his proven class or seeking a more consistent performer. For Curran, the action is clear: rediscover the wicket-taking form that made him a star, or risk being remembered as a one-season wonder.