Official! Sanju Samson joins CSK, Ravindra Jadeja, Sam Curran traded to RR in blockbuster deal ahead of IPL 2026

The long-standing saga has finally ended. Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) have completed one of the biggest trade deals in Indian Premier League (IPL) history, involving Sanju Samson and Ravindra Jadeja. India wicket-keeper batter Samson has joined CSK from RR in exchange for star India all-rounder Jadeja and England all-rounder Curran.

The blockbuster trade deal involving the three players was confirmed by the Indian Premeir League on Saturday, ahead of the IPL 2026 retention deadline. While Samson has joined CSK at his existing league fee of Rs 18 crore, Jadeja's salary has been revised from Rs 18 crore to Rs 14 crore as part of the trade deal between RR and CSK.

CSK, who have been searching for a long-term replacement for the legendary MS Dhoni, went all out to get Samson after the wicket-keeper batter expressed his desire to leave RR. Samson is viewed as a successor for Dhoni behind the stumps and will also bolster CSK's top order, which struggled last season.

One of the most experienced Indian players in the IPL, Samson, made his league debut in 2013. Samson, who has only represented two teams in his IPL career, played for RR for eleven seasons, barring 2016 and 2017, when the franchise was banned. He was appointed as RR's full-time captain in 2021 and led the team to their second final in IPL 2022.

Samson has played 177 matches in his IPL career and has an impressive 4704 runs to his name at an average of 30.95 and a strike rate of 139.05, including three centuries and 26 fifties. He is RR's leading run-getter in IPL history with 4219 runs in 155 matches for the franchise at a strike rate of 140.53, including two tons and 26 fifties.

While RR have let go of one of their biggest names in Samson, they have traded two world-class players in exchange from CSK, who are set to bolster their all-rounders depth ahead of IPL 2026. It will be a homecoming for Jadeja, who began his IPL career under the legendary Shane Warne at RR, before joining CSK in 2012.

Jadeja, who was part of RR's title-winning squad in the inaugural IPL in 2008, played a key role in CSK's success after joining the franchise in 2012. He was central to CSK's identity and helped them win three titles in 2018, 2021 and 2023. Jadeja has 3260 runs and 170 wickets to his name in 254 matches in his IPL career so far.

Curran, on the other hand, has been a proven performer in the IPL. He was with CSK for two seasons in IPL 2020 and 2021 before being bought back by the franchise in the mega auction last year. Curran picked up 9 wickets in 9 matches to help CSK win their fourth title in IPL 2021. The England star has 997 runs and 59 wickets to his name in 64 matches in his IPL career. He led the Punjab Kings in IPL 2024.

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Rajasthan Royals have also traded Indian batter Nitish Rana to Delhi Capitals (DC) in an all-cash deal, while roping in South Africa batter Donovan Ferreira from the franchise for a sum of Rs 1 crore. Senior India pacer Mohammed Shami has joined Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) from Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in an all-cash trade deal.

Mumbai Indians, who recently traded Shardul Thakur from LSG, have traded left-arm all-rounder Arjun Tendulkar to the franchise. Mumbai Indians have also roped in spinner Mayank Markande in an all-cash trade deal from the three-time champions Kolkata Knight Riders.