Rajasthan Royals (RR) captain Sanju Samson is preparing to leave his team before IPL 2026. He has already requested a release or trade from RR.
The reason is that there is some tension with the franchise, which began during the 2024 mega auction when RR released Jos Buttler.
Sanju did not like this at all. Now Chennai Super Kings (CSK) has come back into the fray. CSK had previously shown interest in Sanju, but the deal was stalled when RR demanded core players.
But now talks are heating up. A report says,
“Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals have re-established contact over a potential trade involving Sanju Samson, and it would not be a surprise if a top CSK player is included in the deal.
A word has been sent to the player to check if he is comfortable moving to RR.”
CSK-RR player swap talks intensify
RR owner Manoj Badale has arrived in Mumbai from London and is in talks with several teams, including CSK, LSG, KKR, and DC.
Reports indicate that RR is interested in a top CSK player. According to RevSportz reporter Rohit Juglan, that player could be Ravindra Jadeja.
However, considering the 36-year-old Jadeja took only 10 wickets in 14 matches in IPL 2025, RR may be considering this as a good opportunity. Initially, RR had sought Jadeja, Ruturaj Gaikwad, or Shivam Dubey.
CSK declined Dubey because he is their key T20 all-rounder. Gaikwad is the captain, making his departure difficult. However, talks are ongoing regarding Jadeja. DC was also looking to acquire Sanju Samson, seeking Tristan Stubbs and an uncapped player. But CSK’s entry changed the game.
Deal confirmed before the retention deadline
The retention deadline is November 15th, and CSK is scheduled to meet with MS Dhoni, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and Stephen Fleming on November 10-11th. Sanju’s deal could be finalized there.
The IPL 2026 auction is in mid-December, so teams are already strengthening their squads. Sanju’s departure would be a major blow for RR, but a player like Jadeja would balance their team.
CSK needs a wicketkeeper-batsman like Sanju, especially considering Dhoni’s future.
CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan recently said, “MS Dhoni has told us he will…” and confirmed his participation in IPL 2026. But Sanju seems to be a perfect fit for the long term, scoring consistently and also handling captaincy.
Along with RR, teams like DC and KKR are also in the race, but CSK appears to be the frontrunner. If this deal is finalized in the trade window, it would be the biggest swap in IPL history.
