In a new twist to the IPL universe, Chennai Super Kings’ (CSK) blockbuster deal to send Ravindra Jadeja to Rajasthan Royals (RR) to replace Sanju Samson is stuck—not over the future of the star duo, but over England’s Sam Curran. As the November 15 retention deadline approaches, procedural hurdles to Curran’s overseas status and RR’s tight financial position threaten to derail the tripartite deal, leaving Jadeja in the yellow for now.
The talks began after IPL 2025, when Samson—RR’s long-time captain has been in the ninth position due to injury—is seeking a ouster from the team after 11 seasons and 4,027 runs. CSK, who are eyeing plans to take charge of the team after Dhoni, consider this explosive wicketkeeper-batsman as their ideal. The 36-year-old all-rounder Jadeja, who has played 254 IPL matches and taken 301 runs and 20 wickets in 2025, reportedly decided to opt out of the team after a heart-to-heart conversation with MS Dhoni. Key changes: Jadeja (retained for Rs 18 crore) replaced by Samson (Rs 18 crore) – a natural swap of Indian players as per IPL rules.
Curan’s entry: The 27-year-old all-rounder (114 runs and 1 wicket in five matches last season), acquired by CSK for Rs 2.4 crore in the 2025 mega auction after his peak performance at Punjab Kings for Rs 18.5 crore, has energized the team. But RR’s roster is at a maximum of eight overseas slots: Jofra Archer, Shimron Hetmyer, Wanindu Hasaranga, Mahesh Theekshana, Fazalhaq Farooqui, Kwena Mafaka, Nandre Berger, and Luan-Dre Pretorius. Regulations prohibit another addition without a release, and with only ₹30 lakh left in their purse against Curran’s ₹2.4 crore tag, RR will have to offload high-priced foreigners to balance the books and slots.
Insiders point to Sri Lankan spinners Hasaranga (₹5.25 crore) and Theekshana (₹4.4 crore) – poor performers in 2025 – as the major cuts, freeing up space and money. While initial RR demands for CSK’s Mathisha Pathirana or Dewald Brevis were rejected, Curran was settled on, but BCCI approval is pending an expression of interest filed 48 hours earlier. Receipt of no-objection certificate from ECB may further delay the proceedings.
Cricbuzz sources dismissed the hesitation, saying, “Possible, but not impossible – having come this far, the chances of going back are slim.” With 22 (RR) teams and unlimited retentions before the mini-auction, clarity awaits the announcements on November 15. For CSK fans, who are mourning Jadeja’s possible exit—reiterated by Suresh Raina’s appeal to retain him—the wait is getting longer. RR’s next decision: Sacrifice spinners for Jadeja-Curain, or make changes? This development could redefine the IPL 2026 squad as the trade window reopens after the deadline.