This news comes as no surprise to IPL fans. Talks have intensified between Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) regarding a trade deal for Ravindra Jadeja and Sanju Samson.
This deal is being considered for IPL 2026, as both teams are looking to strengthen their squads. According to a Cricbuzz report, this trade is no longer just a rumor but is now part of serious negotiations.
IPL 2026 Trade Begins: A Major Twist in the Jadeja-Samson Swap
Initially, the deal was only between Jadeja and Samson. Both players are valued at ₹18 crore (approximately $1.8 billion), so it seemed like a straight swap. However, RR were also demanding Brevis, who CSK currently owns.
CSK flatly refused. Now, the news is that CSK is offering Sam Curran, who was bought for ₹2.4 crore (approximately $2.4 billion) in addition to Jadeja.
The trade of these three players – Ravindra Jadeja, Sam Curran, and Sanju Samson – could prove to be a game-changer for IPL 2026.
Franchise sources say all three players have given their consent.
A franchise official said, “Consent has been obtained from all three players, and the Expression of Interest process has been initiated. All three have signed on the dotted line, but the process will take some time to conclude.”
According to IPL rules, a trade takes 48 hours to finalize, and the BCCI must be informed of everything.
An official notification has not yet been sent, but the process has begun.
RR owner Manoj Badale is in Mumbai and leading the negotiations. CSK’s stance is clear – they consider giving up Jadeja, who is the world’s best all-rounder, a huge loss. The deal only moved forward after consulting with the 36-year-old Jadeja.
RR also spoke with SRH, but there’s less excitement for Samson there, as they already have openers like Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma, and Ishan Kishan.
What’s next? Rules and reactions
Trade rules are strict. If the player is overseas, a NOC is required – in this case, Sam Curran is from England, so the ECB will have to be involved. The BCCI will provide the first information to the press.
Trades are limited in the IPL quadrature window, but this deal fits within the salary cap. Jadeja and Samson were retained for 18 crore rupees, while Curran is less expensive, so a balance is being struck.
This trade has sparked debate in IPL circles. CSK legend Suresh Raina clearly stated,
“Ravindra Jadeja should be retained again. He is a gun player for CSK. He has done really, really well for the team over the years, so ‘Sir Ravindra Jadeja’ has to be there.”
Right now, the ball is in RR’s court. If the deal goes through, it would be a major shock ahead of the IPL 2026 mega auction. CSK now has talented players like Brevis, who received a record bid in SA20.
RR will be strengthened by Curran’s all-round skills along with Samson. Once the trade is complete, the final announcement will be made only after BCCI approval.
