IPL 2026 Trade Update: CSK-Rajasthan Swap Could See Samson, Jadeja, Curran or Pathirana Involved

A major deal seems to be taking shape between Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals. If it goes through, Ravindra Jadeja and either Sam Curran or Matheesha Pathirana would move to Jaipur, while Sanju Samson would join Chennai. According to The Indian Express, the deal hasn’t been officially signed yet, but talks are in the final stages. It’s expected to be completed in the next few days, once the second player going to Rajasthan is confirmed, before the retention deadline on November 15. If everything goes smoothly, this would finally end months of speculation over Samson’s future.

Since the last IPL season ended, there have been rumors that Sanju Samson might leave Rajasthan Royals. During the Major League season in the US, Samson even spoke with Chennai Super Kings (CSK), who are interested in him as a possible replacement for MS Dhoni, now 44.

With Samson possibly joining CSK and the player retention deadline coming up, it’s unclear what Dhoni will do. CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan recently said the team hopes Dhoni will play next season, but Samson’s arrival could affect that decision. While Jadeja has been made part of the deal, whether the second player involved is Curran or Pathirana isn’t clear. It is understood that CSK have offered the England all-rounder, but Rajasthan seem to have their eye on Pathirana.

But as things stand, CSK are unwilling to let go of the Sri Lankan pacer, whom they have been grooming for long and expect him to play a big role going forward. The talks about Samson went on for months but even cooled off about a month ago. Rajasthan made it clear they wanted some player in return, so Chennai had to pull back after the first round of discussions.

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Sanju Samson Wicketkeeper-Batter

Sanju Samson, a right-handed batsman and wicketkeeper, is a professional cricketer from India.

Sanju Samson Set for Possible Move to Chennai in Major CSK-Rajasthan Trade

Despite this, Samson was determined to leave, and Rajasthan explored swap options with a few other teams. Nothing worked out, and Samson remained firm about his desire to play in the Yellow jersey. Chennai, so far, haven’t done any deal which has involved player swap and had been pressing for an all-cash deal.

However, when the talks reopened recently, it was learnt that they had no option but to include one of their players as part of the trade. With Rajasthan needing an Indian spinner, it is understood that they were pushing for Jadeja from the start, following which the franchise seems to have brought the all-rounder into the loop.

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Ravindra Jadeja All-rounder

Ravindrasinh Anirudhsinh Jadeja, known as Ravindra Jadeja or Jaddu, is an Indian all-rounder who plays for India and various domestic teams.

Jadeja’s Return to Rajasthan

Before moving ahead with the talks, CSK’s key leaders, Dhoni, captain Ruturaj Gaikwad, and coach Stephen Fleming, had long discussions. Dhoni spoke with Jadeja first to see if he was interested in joining Rajasthan, and only after Jadeja agreed did the talks continue.

Both Samson and Jadeja were paid ₹18 crore when retained last year. Rajasthan reportedly wanted another player in the deal. Shivam Dube’s name came up, but CSK didn’t consider him, and Curran was suggested as an alternative to Pathirana. It is further understood that CSK were keen on pushing for a cash deal, but are also aware that it could bring the trade to a standstill. CSK’s desperation to bring in Samson, even if it means letting go of one of their own against popular sentiments, stems from Dhoni’s age.

Featuring as an uncapped player last season, he played a restricted role with the bat, walking in at No 8 or 9 when they finished last. Jadeja played for Rajasthan in their first IPL season when they won, but he has been with CSK since 2012 and helped them win three IPL titles in 2018, 2021, and 2023. He is their top wicket-taker with 143 wickets. In the 2023 final against Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad, he scored a boundary and a six when CSK needed 10 runs from the last two balls, making him a hero in Chennai.

This came just a year after a tough season as captain, he had been removed mid-way and stayed away from the team for months until Dhoni contacted him personally. Samson has been with Rajasthan since 2013. Like Jadeja, he re-joined the team in 2018 after the two-year suspension of the franchise and has been their captain since 2021.

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