Ravindra Jadeja joins Rajasthan Royals, Sanju Samson moves to CSK in blockbuster IPL trade

Charismatic allrounder Ravindra Jadeja and keeper-batter Sanju Samson are now set to play for Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings, respectively, after the high-profile trade was confirmed by the franchises ahead of the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League.

Jadeja's run in the T20 World Cup was not impressive.
Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja. Photo Courtesy: Ravindra Jadeja Instagram page

With the deadline for player retention ending later on Sunday, CSK stalwart Jadeja has switched base to Rajasthan Royals albeit at a much reduced fee, while Samson, who has led RR for four seasons, will be donning the yellow CSK jersey in IPL 2026.

An IPL media advisory said on Sunday that Jadeja’s IPL fee had been revised from INR 18 crore (USD 2.02 million) to INR 14 crore (USD 1.57 million), while Samson will play for CSK at his existing league fee of INR 18 crore.

“Jadeja, who played for CSK for 12 seasons, is among the most experienced players in the league, having played over 250 games. As part of the trade agreement, his league fee has been revised from Rs 18 crore to Rs 14 crore,” said the advisory.

“Rajasthan Royals captain and India wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson will now represent Chennai Super Kings at his existing league fee of Rs 18 crore.”.

One of the most experienced players in the IPL, Samson has played 177 matches in the league with CSK being only his third franchise. He represented RR in all but two seasons — 2016 and 2017 — since making his IPL debut in 2013.

“England all-rounder Sam Curran will move from CSK to RR at his existing league fee of Rs 2.4 crore following a successful trade. The 27-year-old has played 64 IPL matches, and RR will be his third franchise, having previously represented Punjab Kings in 2019, 2023 and 2024, and CSK in the other seasons,” the IPL release stated.

Pace-bowling stalwart Mohammed Shami will don the Lucknow Super Giants jersey after a trade from Sunrisers Hyderabad. He will move to the new franchise at his existing fee of INR 10 crore.

Though the veteran bowler missed the 2024 season due to injury, he had a successful campaign in Gujarat Titans’ title-winning campaign in 2023 taking 20 wickets.

Sachin Tendulkar’s son Arjun Tendulkar will also don LSG colours following a transfer from Mumbai Indians at his existing fee of INR 30 lakh, while all-rounder Nitish Rana will represent Delhi Capitals following a trade from Rajasthan Royals at his existing fee of INR 4.2 crore.

South African keeper-batter Donovan Ferreira will return to his first franchise, Rajasthan Royals, following a trade from Delhi Capitals at a revised fee of INR 1 crore.