A landmark three-way trade between Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) is on the verge of completion, with Rajasthan Royals captain Sanju Samson set to join the five-time IPL champions in exchange for star all-rounders Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran. According to multiple sources, including Cricbuzz and ESPNcricinfo, all three players have given written consent, and the Expression of Interest (EOI) process has been formally initiated. A senior franchise official confirmed, “Consent has been obtained from all three players, and the process has been initiated. All three have signed on the dotted line, but the process will take some time to culminate.” The deal is expected to be finalised within the next 48 hours, ahead of the IPL retention deadline on November 15, 2025.
The trade marks a significant shift for both franchises. For CSK, acquiring Samson addresses the long-standing need for a successor to MS Dhoni, both as a wicketkeeper-batter and future captain. The 30-year-old Kerala star has been RR’s cornerstone since 2013, amassing 4,027 runs in 161 matches at a strike rate of 139.04, including 25 fifties and three centuries. His leadership saw RR reach the IPL 2024 final, though a side strain hampered his performance in IPL 2025, where the team finished ninth. Samson had earlier expressed a desire for a fresh start, telling RR management post-season, “I want to explore new opportunities.”
In return, RR gains two proven T20 all-rounders. Ravindra Jadeja, retained by CSK for ₹18 crore ahead of IPL 2025, delivered 301 runs and 20 wickets last season, reaffirming his value as a match-winner. The 36-year-old began his IPL journey with RR in 2008 and 2009 before becoming a CSK legend, winning five titles and captaining briefly in 2022. Sam Curran, bought by CSK for ₹2.4 crore in the 2025 auction after stints with Punjab Kings, brings left-arm pace and explosive lower-order batting. Though limited to five games in IPL 2025 due to England duties, his experience in high-pressure knockouts—including the 2023 final—makes him a strategic addition for RR.
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The trade’s structure required careful negotiation. Initial talks reportedly involved Mumbai Indians’ Dewald Brevis, but CSK countered with Curran, satisfying RR’s demand for an overseas all-rounder. Since Curran is an international player, a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is mandatory—a process expected to be swift given his availability. As of the evening of November 10, neither franchise had officially informed the BCCI, but sources indicate internal approvals are complete. The IPL Governing Council will review the EOI before granting final clearance.
The move has sparked emotional reactions, especially among CSK fans. Former teammate Suresh Raina took to social media, pleading, “Jaddu is a gun player; CSK should keep him.” Jadeja, known for his loyalty to the yellow brigade, reportedly held detailed discussions with MS Dhoni before agreeing. For RR, losing Samson—the face of the franchise for over a decade—creates a leadership vacuum, with reports suggesting Yashasvi Jaiswal and Riyan Parag as potential successors. The trade also highlights the evolving IPL ecosystem, where multi-player swaps are becoming tools for squad rebalancing ahead of mega auctions.
With IPL 2026 looming as a potential reset, this deal underscores strategic foresight. CSK bolsters its Indian core and leadership pipeline, while RR injects experience and versatility into a young squad. As the clock ticks toward the retention deadline, the Samson-Jadeja-Curran trade stands as one of the most significant in IPL history—blending legacy, ambition, and tactical reinvention in a league where change is the only constant.
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