Sam Curran was one of Chennai Super Kings’ key players in IPL 2021. The English all-rounder picked nine wickets in as many games last year. However, he could not take part this season due to a back injury. 

Now, recovering from the injury, Curran admitted that he is frustrated to watch IPL at home. However, he said that the decision to opt out was the right one. 

Also read: KL Rahul opens up on ‘cute, very nice relationship’ with AB de Villiers

CSK, without Curran, lost their opening game against the Kolkata Knight Riders. They are set to lock horns with the Lucknow Super Giants on Thursday.

Sam Curran had felt pain in his back during the UAE-leg of the IPL last season. Scans later revealed that he had suffered a stress fracture of the lower back, ruling him out of the T20 World Cup and the Ashes.

Curran said it would have been too soon to return to action as he nurses the most serious injury of his young career.

Also read: RCB scrape first win of IPL 2022, defeat KKR by 3 wickets

“I’m gutted not to be there. It’s a frustration watching from home. I wanted to go (into the auction) but I didn’t at the end – which was probably the best decision. Looking back, IPL probably came a little bit too soon.” the 23-year-old told espn.cricinfo. 

The left-arm seamer added that he wants to go back to the IPL ‘because you learn so much about your T20 game there’. 

“It’s a tournament when you live and breathe cricket. You go down for breakfast every day and you’re sitting with superstars, sitting down and chatting about the game.” he said. 

Also read: IPL 2022: David Willey takes a stunner to dismiss Kolkata Knight Riders’ Nitish Rana | Watch

Curran’s national colleague Moeen Ali, who was in quarantine, is likely to join CSK for their game against KL Rahul and co at the Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai. 

Sam Curran, the younger brother of all-rounder Tom, said that he is looking to put up a good show in Surrey’s County Championship opener against Warwickshire at Edgbaston next week. However, his main focus will be to get back to the England squad for the Test series against New Zealand in June and T20 World Cup in Australia in October.

“It’s been a long winter. I’d never really experienced an injury before and missing out on what I have has been pretty hard. They’re probably the two biggest series or tournaments as a player: a World Cup for your country and an Ashes series down under,” he said.

“…for now, it’s about starting these first six Championship games, trying to put in performances for myself and for Surrey. The Test matches in June are my initial goal and the end goal is probably the World Cup.”