Is England all-rounder Sam Curran already on IPL franchises’ radar?

It happened with South African wicket-keeper-batsman Heinrich Klaasen after his hard-hitting show against India earlier this year. He was roped in for an Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise this season. Now, if reports are to be believed, young English all-rounder Sam Curran could be the eyed by several IPL franchises for his consistent shows against India in the ongoing Test series.

Curran has scored a couple of crucial half-centuries in this series that not only pulled England out of the rut twice but also saw them eventually winning the games. He also scored a couple of 40s besides taking eight wickets in three Tests. He did not play the third Test at Trent Bridge which England lost. In all, Curran he has scored 251 runs at an average of 50.20 in the series and taken the wickets at an average of 23.37.

As per a report by The Guardian, the 20-year-old Surrey all-rounder is in line for talks with a number of IPL franchises, including Royal Challengers Bangalore led by Indian captain Virat Kohli, ahead of the 2019 edition which will be held earlier because of the cricket World Cup.

Sam Curran’s all-round ability has impressed IPL franchises

Son of former Zimbabwe international Kevin Curran, Sam made his international debut earlier this year at home. He has played four Tests and only one ODI so far but has given enough hint about his cricketing skills. His batting ability down the order which can turn games around besides the bowling skills is something that all-rounder-savvy IPL franchises have liked and they eye to rope in the talent for their next edition.

If he plays the IPL next year, Sam will not be the first in the Curran family to do so. His 23-year-old brother Tom – a bowling all-rounder – played for Kolkata Knight Riders in this year’s edition. A packed international schedule might obstruct Sam’s way of playing the IPL.

The 2019 IPL begins on March 29 and will go till May 19. England will play a limited-over series against Pakistan from May 5 and with the ICC World Cup scheduled to begin in early June, both the English cricket board and the IPL franchises will have to work out a plan to fit Curran into their respective scheme of things.

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