Sam Curran, the promising all-rounder for England, is setting his sights on making a significant return to the national cricket team by showcasing his skills during the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season. Having not played for England since a white-ball series against the West Indies in November 2024, Curran finds himself at a crucial juncture in his career, particularly after being omitted from the squad for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
The exit of former captain Jos Buttler, who stepped down following a string of defeats in Pakistan, has left a vacuum in the team's leadership and offers a potential opening for players like Curran. “My main aim is probably just to get back into the [England white-ball] side,” Curran expressed during his recent appearance on the Sky Sports Cricket Podcast. “With England, I guess I've never really found that perfect role.”
Despite being primarily recognized as a T20I specialist, evidenced by his accolade as Player of the Tournament during England’s victorious campaign at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in Australia in 2022, Curran brings a breadth of experience to the table, having participated in 24 Tests and 35 ODIs since 2018.
With Brendon McCullum taking over as the England coach for all formats at the start of 2025, and the impending announcement of a new captain for the white-ball formats, Curran sees a landscape ripe with opportunity. He is particularly focused on his upcoming contribution with the Chennai Super Kings in the IPL, where he will be reuniting with his former New Zealand coach, Stephen Fleming. The aim, after a disappointing fifth-place finish last season, is to elevate the team's performance and make a solid impression.
“Hopefully, I can have a really good IPL and see where we are in the summer,” Curran noted, highlighting the importance of this franchise experience in relation to his international ambitions. He plans to lead Surrey during their T20 campaign in the Vitality Blast, which further positions him as a figure of interest for the national selectors.
Curran, while candid about his absence from the national setup, conveys a mature perspective on resilience. "I feel in a really good space. I was obviously gutted when it happened, but I'm still pretty young and feel like I have matured when it comes to handling the bad stuff,” he shared. This emphasizes his growth mindset and readiness to tackle challenges head-on as he seeks to reposition himself within the squad.
The imminent England matches against the West Indies, India, and South Africa later in the summer present ripe opportunities for Curran to catch the attention of the new leadership under McCullum. The coaching staff has signaled that they’re considering separating the captaincy of ODIs and T20s, potentially providing space for a new approach. Curran remains hopeful that his performances will speak volumes ahead of this pivotal summer.
After being left out, Curran appreciated the directness of McCullum's feedback. “Baz [McCullum] called me at the start when I did get left out, was clear and honest, and I respected that,” he reflects. Understanding his situation with clarity bolsters Curran’s resolve. He stated, “He said I won't be there right now but that didn't mean the door was shut.” This kind of transparency weaves a supportive environment, encouraging players to perform and prove their worth.
“He was very honest in terms of what the balance of the side was and how I could have been in had they done it differently,” Curran elaborated, reinforcing a constructive yet competitive atmosphere within the team dynamics. His focus is on returning to form swiftly; achieving the necessary runs and wickets in the IPL will be critical. “The cliché of [needing] runs and wickets is no debate, I've got to keep doing that,” he stated emphatically.
As this IPL season is set to unfold, all eyes will be on Curran, keen to see if he can leverage the platform to refocus on his international ambitions. Following the opener between the Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bengaluru on March 22, multi-faceted coverage of all 74 matches will enhance the league's visibility and possibly spotlight stars like Curran who are pivotal for their franchises.
The coming months promise a blend of challenge and opportunity for Sam Curran, with both IPL success and leadership responsibility at Surrey serving as stepping stones for an England comeback. His ambition is clear: “Fingers crossed come June I'll be back in the squads and performing.” With undercurrents of competitive spirit and self-belief, he encapsulates the heart of a player determined to reclaim his place on the international stage.
