In one of the biggest player swaps in IPL history, Rajasthan Royals (RR) have traded their long-serving captain Sanju Samson to Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in exchange for superstar all-rounders Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran. The long-rumoured deal was officially sealed just hours before the deadline for franchise retentions ahead of IPL 2026.
The trade has sent shockwaves through the cricketing world, bringing an end to Samson’s decade-long journey with Rajasthan. The Kerala-born wicketkeeper-batter led RR in 67 matches and became one of the franchise’s most iconic faces. Now, for the first time in his IPL career, he will step out in CSK’s famous yellow jersey. The Chennai franchise welcomed him with celebratory posts and videos, calling his arrival a new chapter for the team.
Rajasthan Royals, meanwhile, bid an emotional farewell, recalling Samson’s growth from a promising teenager in a blue jersey to the captain who shaped the team’s identity. In return, the Royals have acquired the experience and match-winning abilities of Jadeja and Curran, significantly strengthening their all-round department.
With this blockbuster trade, both squads enter a period of strategic reshaping—
- CSK gains a dynamic leader and dependable top-order batter in Samson,
- RR boosts its lineup with two proven all-rounders capable of changing games single-handedly.
As teams gear up for IPL 2026, this high-profile transfer is already being hailed as one of the most influential moves in recent seasons.
