Suresh Raina has issued a strong warning to Chennai Super Kings, urging them not to trade Ravindra Jadeja as the Sanju Samson swap deal edges closer to completion. The CSK legend made his feelings clear—Jadeja must stay at all costs.​

Raina’s Clear Stand

Speaking to JioStar, Raina listed the players CSK should retain and release ahead of the November 15 deadline. When it came to Jadeja, his message was unequivocal.

“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,” Raina said emphatically.

The former CSK vice-captain’s comments come as the franchise nears a blockbuster trade that would send Jadeja and Sam Curran to Rajasthan Royals in exchange for Samson.​

Trade Deal Almost Done

According to Cricbuzz, all three players have signed the necessary documentation, and the deal is just 48 hours away from completion. The Expression of Interest process has commenced under IPL Player Regulations, though as of Monday evening, neither franchise had officially notified the IPL or BCCI leadership.​

A franchise representative confirmed, “Approval has been secured from all three athletes. All three players have signed on the dotted line, but the entire procedure will require some time to finish”.​

CSK even wished Samson on his 30th birthday on November 11, posting “More power to you, Sanju! Wishing you a super birthday!” on social media—a move that further fueled trade speculation.​

Raina’s Retention Wishlist

Beyond Jadeja, Raina wants CSK to retain several key players. MS Dhoni topped his list. “MS Dhoni should definitely be retained; he is playing this year, so he should remain with the team,” Raina said.

He also backed captain Ruturaj Gaikwad to continue leading the side and urged retention of mystery spinner Noor Ahmad. “He’s a mystery spinner, so he must be kept,” Raina explained.

Players Raina Wants Released

On the flip side, Raina identified Devon Conway, Vijay Shankar, and Deepak Hooda as prime candidates for release.

“Devon Conway should be released. CSK need a local opener, which they will look for in the mini-auction,” Raina suggested. He added that both Shankar and Hooda have received plenty of chances without delivering consistently.

“These players got their chances last year, and we saw how they played. There are a lot of players available in the mini-auction who can provide the same combination for the team. So, probably CSK will have to look for someone new,” he reasoned.

Why CSK Want Samson

CSK see Samson as MS Dhoni’s long-term successor behind the stumps and potentially as a future captain. The 30-year-old has been RR’s all-time leading run-scorer with 4,027 runs, holds the joint-most 50-plus scores (25), and has taken the most catches (149) for the franchise.​

After IPL 2025, Samson informed RR management that he wanted a change, prompting the franchise to explore trade options. His best IPL season came in 2024 when he scored 531 runs at an average of 48.27 and a strike rate of 153.47.​

The Emotional Cost

Former India cricketer R Ashwin, who retired from the IPL after his stint with CSK, acknowledged the emotional weight of trading Jadeja. “One thing in the fans’ minds will be Jadeja’s affinity for CSK. Jadeja is no small player for CSK. There is some emotion attached to Jadeja and CSK,” Ashwin said on his show ‘Ash ki Baat’.​

Jadeja joined CSK in 2012 and has been integral to three of their five IPL titles. He’s CSK’s leading wicket-taker with 143 scalps and has scored 3,260 runs in the tournament. His most memorable moment came in the 2023 IPL final when his last-over heroics against Gujarat Titans sealed the title.​

Jadeja’s Side of the Story Despite his loyalty to CSK and love for the franchise, Jadeja reportedly feels it’s time for a change to create a different identity. His brief and unsuccessful captaincy stint in 2022—when CSK won just one of their first eight games before MS Dhoni returned as leader—may have influenced his thinking.​

Mohammad Kaif believes Dhoni is driving this trade. “Dhoni’s long-term vision seems clear—he’s ready to give up Jadeja to bring in a future captain,” Kaif said on his YouTube channel. He even suggested this could be Dhoni’s final IPL season, possibly one he doesn’t complete if Samson settles well.​

Regulatory Process

Under IPL trade regulations, any franchise wishing to initiate a deal must submit an Expression of Interest to the BCCI, which contacts the other franchise. That franchise has 48 hours to respond. If both teams agree, the player’s consent is obtained, allowing discussions on contract terms.​

Since Sam Curran is involved and he’s an international player, the England and Wales Cricket Board may need to provide a No Objection Certificate.​

What Happens Next

With the November 15 retention deadline looming, both franchises must finalize the trade quickly or risk complications. Raina’s warning reflects what many CSK fans feel—trading a proven match-winner like Jadeja is a huge gamble, regardless of Samson’s talent.

Whether CSK heed Raina’s advice or proceed with the trade will be revealed in the coming days. For now, one of IPL’s biggest-ever swap deals hangs in the balance, just 48 hours from completion.