Sanju Samson to CSK? Reports Claim Massive Trade for Jadeja and Curran

A blockbuster IPL trade might be in the works. Reports suggest Rajasthan Royals could send their captain Sanju Samson to Chennai Super Kings in exchange for Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran. If this happens, it would be one of the biggest player swaps in IPL history.​

What the Reports Say

According to ESPNCricinfo, both franchises have already discussed this trade with the players involved. The deal would see Samson, who was retained by RR for Rs 18 crore, move to CSK. In return, RR would get Jadeja (retained by CSK for Rs 18 crore) and Curran (bought for Rs 2.4 crore in the 2025 auction).​

For the trade to go through, both teams need to send an expression of interest to the IPL governing council, naming all three players. After getting written consent from the players, the franchises can finalize the agreement.​

Some reports mentioned Matheesha Pathirana as a possible addition instead of Curran, with RR reportedly pushing for the Sri Lankan pacer. However, CSK are unwilling to trade Pathirana. ESPNCricinfo confirmed that Curran would be the England all-rounder involved in the swap.​

Why This Trade Makes Sense

Chennai needs a long-term wicketkeeper-batter. MS Dhoni continues playing, but at 43, his batting has been limited. Samson, at 30, offers CSK a quality keeper who can bat in the top order and provide explosive starts.​

Rajasthan’s concern is team balance. Getting Jadeja solves their need for a quality Indian all-rounder who bowls spin. He brings experience and match-winning ability in all three departments. Curran adds depth to their overseas options with his left-arm pace and lower-order hitting.​

The Backstory

This wasn’t CSK’s first choice. Rajasthan initially approached Chennai for a Jadeja swap, but CSK showed little interest. RR then shifted focus to Delhi Capitals, negotiating a deal involving Tristan Stubbs. That swap nearly went through, with even Delhi’s senior players aware of it.​

However, Rajasthan’s demand for an additional uncapped player—specifically Sameer Rizvi alongside Stubbs—led to the collapse. Delhi refused to part with the young batter. With that deal dead, Rajasthan returned to Chennai, restarting negotiations.​

Samson himself has indicated he wants a change. After IPL 2025, he reportedly expressed his desire to be released by RR, ending his 11-season association with the franchise.​

Jadeja’s Journey Comes Full Circle

Ravindra Jadeja started his IPL career with Rajasthan Royals in 2008 and 2009. He joined CSK in 2012 and stayed there except during the two-year suspension period (2016-2017). He’s been part of three of CSK’s five title wins.​

Jadeja was retained by CSK for Rs 18 crore ahead of the 2025 mega auction as their second player after captain Ruturaj Gaikwad. Along with MS Dhoni, he’s been central to CSK’s core. Trading him would end a 13-year association.​

The decision to include Jadeja in the trade came only after he gave his consent. CSK’s MS Dhoni, captain Ruturaj Gaikwad, and head coach Stephen Fleming held lengthy discussions before agreeing.​

Interestingly, Jadeja’s Instagram profile disappeared recently, fueling speculation about his exit from CSK.​

The November 15 Deadline

The IPL 2026 player retention deadline is set for November 15, 2025. By this date, all 10 franchises must finalize and announce their lists of retained and released players. The mini-auction is expected to take place in mid-December, likely between December 13 and 15.​

Unlike previous years, there’s no cap on the number of players each team can retain. Teams must still adhere to squad size limits (up to 25 players) and salary cap restrictions (total purse limit of around Rs 120 crore).​

Teams are actively using the trading window, which operates in three phases. It opens seven days after a season concludes, closes one week before the auction, reopens after the auction, and shuts down 30 days before the new season starts.​

Mixed Signals on the Deal Despite multiple reports confirming the trade is progressing, there’s confusion. When CSK CEO Viswanathan was asked directly about trading for Samson, he said “No, not likely, not likely.” This suggests either the deal isn’t as advanced as reported, or negotiations are being kept under wraps.

Multiple IPL franchises have shown interest in Samson beyond just CSK and Delhi Capitals. The 30-year-old wicketkeeper-batter remains one of the most sought-after players in the league.​

What Happens Next

The next few days will bring clarity. If both franchises are serious, they’ll need to move quickly before the November 15 deadline.​

All three players—Samson, Jadeja, and Curran—must give written consent. Any one of them refusing would kill the deal. The IPL governing council would also need to approve the trade.​

For now, it remains speculation. But if this trade goes through, it would reshape both teams significantly and set the stage for an intriguing IPL 2026 season.