Big IPL 2026 Trade Rumour: Ravindra Jadeja-Sanju Samson Swap on the Cards? With the IPL 2026 retention deadline just around the corner, the rumour mill is buzzing with talk of major trades – and the biggest one involves Ravindra Jadeja and Sanju Samson. Reports suggest that Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) are in advanced discussions over a possible swap deal that could see two star all-rounders, Jadeja and Sam Curran, move to RR in exchange for Samson.
Ravindra Jadeja Could Lead Rajasthan Royals
According to a report by News18 CricketNext, Jadeja might be in line to captain the Rajasthan Royals if the trade goes through. The report adds that Jadeja has made captaincy a key part of his deal and that the official announcement could come within the next few days.
If confirmed, this would mark a massive shake-up ahead of IPL 2026, with one of India’s most dynamic all-rounders potentially leading the franchise where his IPL journey began.
Sanju Samson’s Long Journey with the Royals
Sanju Samson has been the face of the Rajasthan Royals for over a decade. The wicketkeeper-batter is the team’s all-time top run-scorer with 4,027 runs and has been a central figure both on and off the field.
After the 2025 season, Samson reportedly told the RR management that he was ready for a new challenge. That led the team to open trade talks with other franchises, including CSK. Samson was retained for Rs 18 crore before the IPL 2025 auction, highlighting his importance to the franchise.
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Jadeja’s Longstanding CSK Legacy
Ravindra Jadeja, on the other hand, has been a cornerstone of Chennai Super Kings since 2012. Apart from the two years when CSK was suspended, Jadeja has been an essential part of the team’s core, playing a key role in three of their five IPL title wins.
The all-rounder was retained for Rs 18 crore ahead of the 2025 mega auction, making him CSK’s second-choice retention after captain Ruturaj Gaikwad. Over his IPL career, Jadeja has played 254 matches and taken 143 wickets, making him CSK’s all-time leading wicket-taker.
It’s worth remembering that Jadeja was appointed captain of CSK in the 2022 season but was removed midway due to the team’s poor performance. The leadership duties were then handed back to MS Dhoni.
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Full Circle for Jadeja
If Jadeja does end up returning to the Rajasthan Royals, it would be a full-circle moment for him. The star all-rounder made his IPL debut with RR in 2008 as a 19-year-old and was part of their historic title-winning campaign that year under Shane Warne’s leadership.
With both teams reportedly finalizing talks, fans are eagerly waiting to see if this blockbuster trade becomes a reality – one that could reshape the balance of power ahead of IPL 2026.
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