New Delhi: Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have confirmed the acquisition of wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson from Rajasthan Royals ahead of the IPL 2026 auction, in a blockbuster trade deal that sees all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja return to Rajasthan Royals after 16 years.
Samson, 30, will represent CSK at his existing league fee of INR 18 crore. The move comes as part of a trade agreement in which Jadeja’s fee has been revised from INR 18 crore to INR 14 crore. CSK will also part ways with England all-rounder Sam Curran, who will join Rajasthan Royals at his existing fee of INR 2.4 crore.
Samson is Rajasthan Royals’ most capped player and the franchise’s highest run-scorer in IPL history. Appointed captain ahead of IPL 2021, he led RR to 33 wins in 67 matches, including a runners-up finish in IPL 2022. Despite injury setbacks in IPL 2025, he scored 285 runs in nine matches and was retained by RR for INR 18 crore.
Ravindra Jadeja, who debuted in the IPL with Rajasthan Royals in 2008, played 27 matches for the Jaipur-based franchise before moving to Chennai Super Kings in 2012. Over 186 matches with CSK, Jadeja amassed 2,198 runs and claimed 143 wickets, making him CSK’s highest wicket-taker in IPL history. His return to Rajasthan marks a nostalgic homecoming for the all-rounder.
The trade reshuffles key players ahead of IPL 2026, setting the stage for a thrilling season as CSK and RR strengthen their squads for the world’s richest cricket league.
