Sanju Samson-Ravindra Jadeja Trade Swap Could be on the Cards Between CSK and RR Before IPL 2026

Sanju Samson might secure a future captaincy role at CSK if he joins, especially if the franchise doubts Ruturaj Gaikwad's leadership abilities.

Sanju Samson-Ravindra Jadeja Trade Swap Could be on the Cards Between CSK and RR Before IPL 2026

RR's Sanju Samson and CSK Ravindra Jadeja might be involved in a potential trade deal. (via NDTV Sports)

🔍 Explore this post with:

ChatGPTPerplexityGrok AIGoogle AI

Days before the IPL franchises announced their player retention for the 2026 season, a possible trade deal between Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals could be on the cards. Sanju Samson might be on his way to CSK, while Ravindra Jadeja could go the other way. 

Over the past months, it is being perceived that Sanju Samson is reportedly not keen on continuing his association with Rajasthan Royals, a franchise which he has been captaining since the 2018 IPL season. He is also Rajasthan’s leading run-getter of all time. However, he endured a tough time with RR last season, with his season cut short due to multiple injury issues, which effectively kept him out of action.

Samson’s role as skipper was taken over by the Riyan Parag, with the RR management reportedly honing the 23-year-old for a future leadership position. With the 30-year-old wanting out, CSK has emerged as a possible destination for him, ahead of the 2026 IPL season. The Men in Yellow are in dire need of a good Indian batter as well as an opener, with Samson also being viewed as a potential long-term replacement to MS Dhoni.

While a pre-season trade deal seemed unachievable at point, Cricbuzz most recently, reported that the two teams are in negotiations about a swap-trade deal. RR co-owner Manoj Badale is in Mumbai, and is said to be leading the negotiations for a deal ahead of the November 15 retention deadline. CSK are willing to part ways with veteran all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, in order to facilitate Samson’s move to the franchise, despite initial reluctance. 

With both star players valued at INR 18 crores each, the deal might seem to be a simple one, but RR have reportedly demanded for another player to be included in the swap deal, and it is turning out to be a hindrance. The 2008 IPL-winning side have urged for South African T20I batting star Dewald Brevis to be included in the deal. Brevis is now seen as one of CSK’s key players, given his recent exploits in the shortest format. 

Thereafter, it remains to be seen what happens ahead, given the two franchises are yet to share any official communication. Apart from CSK, Lucknow Super Giants, Delhi Capitals, Kolkata Knight Riders and Sunrisers Hyderabad are also interested in acquiring Samson’s services. 

Sanju Samson’s T20I future: Will he feature in India’s XI against South Africa or miss out?

Sanju Samson seems to have lost his place in the India’s T20I XI, with doubts having emerged over his future with the national team. With the five-match T20I series against South Africa coming up next, it will be intriguing to see whether the 30-year-old makes it to the squad or misses out.

Sanju Samson India T20I
It remains to be seen whether Sanju Samson gets to play for the Indian T20I team in the South Africa series. (via News 18)

Samson has been dropped down the batting order since the Asia Cup, following Shubman Gill’s return to the shortest format. Gill has taken over Samson’s opening spot, and his appointment as the new T20I vice-captain certainly means that he might not be pushed out of the team. Samson has seen his role reduced, given he has only come out to bat a few times, down from his preferred position as opener. 

However, Gill’s mediocre form, having scored only 132 runs in five matches in the recently-concluded T20I series against Australia, has put Samson back into the fray. Prior to Gill’s arrival, Samson was enjoying his time as an opener, having scored over 400 runs at an average of over 30, having also broken the record for the second-fastest hundred by an Indian batter in a T20I against Bangladesh, last year.

Samson’s return to the playing XI means that Gill might have to be pushed down the order. Apart from Gill, Samson also faces competition from Jitesh Sharma, who can play as a wicket-keeper as well as a lower-order finisher in the side. 

Also Read: