The biggest trade deal of the IPL off-season is on the verge of completion. Ever since IPL 2025 ended, one of the biggest speculations were about Sanju Samson's impending exit from Rajasthan Royals. Soon after, the wicket-keeper batter was linked to a move with Chennai Super Kings but the deal seemed like a non-starter.
However, as per latest reports on Sunday (November 9), Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals have come to a mutual agreement on the trade swap with Ravindra Jadeja expected to join the Jaipur franchise. With both players valued at Rs 18 crore, the swap seemed straightforward from the outset but the Royals weren't happy with just the conventional swap. They wanted more than that.
RR's initial demand was for CSK to include Dewald Brevis alongside Jadeja in the swap deal but the five-time champions rejected that request straightaway. In fact, the Men in Yellow weren't initially in favour of adding any player with the swap deal but now, a twist has unfurled.
All-rounder Sam Curran is set to be included with Jadeja as part of the trade deal with Samson set to join the Super Kings in arguably IPL's biggest trade deal of all time. CSK had already held prior conversations with Jadeja before the initial round of discussions and the 36-year-old didn't have any objections to a move away from the Chennai franchise.
ALSO READ
- IPL 2026 Auction: Cameron Green, Matheesha Pathirana and uncapped duo hog the headlines in Abu Dhabi
- IPL 2026 likely to be MS Dhoni's retirement year? CSK's tactics during IPL trade window and IPL 2026 auction give strong hints
- IPL 2026 Auction: Latest CSK signing Akeal Hosein's 12-year-old post about Ravindra Jadeja goes viral on social media
Samson had been wanting a release from the Royals since the last IPL season ended and even made a formal request to the franchise for the same. The only other option was for him to enter the IPL 2026 mini auction in December. Finally, after months of speculation and rumours, the Kerala batter is set to join the Super Kings.
The 31-year-old comes as a wicket-keeper batter with proven credentials and leadership qualities, although Ruturaj Gaikwad might still continue to lead CSK. This, however, isn't confirmed yet and perhaps, there could be a meeting between MS Dhoni and the management to take a call about this. As of now, the first step would be for CSK and RR to officially complete this deal at the earliest.
The IPL Governing Council (GC) has received the intimation regarding this update from CSK and RR about the three players involved. The next step would be for Jadeja, Samson and Curran to tick their deal officially through a contract that also needs to be approved by the IPL GC.
If and when this deal becomes official, it shall be Jadeja's full circle moment with the Royals as it is here that the Saurashtra all-rounder first made his mark in the IPL. As for Samson, it will be the start of a new chapter of his T20 career at a time when his place in the national setup has been shaky for no reason of his own.