The IPL 2026 trade window has exploded with what could be one of the most sensational deals in league history, and that is the potential Ravindra Jadeja-Sanju Samson swap between Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Rajasthan Royals (RR).
The possible swap between Ravindra Jadeja and Sanju Samson, which once seemed like a wild dream, has now turned into a real and serious talk between Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) ahead of the IPL 2026 auction.
Both Jadeja and Samson are among the highest-earning players in the IPL, earning ₹18 crore each. On paper, this makes the swap look perfectly balanced. But the reality behind the scenes is much more complex, and the deal may not come to fruition if CSK refuses to agree to RR’s offer.
CSK are willing to part ways with Ravindra Jadeja to bring in Sanju Samson, but have refused to give up on Dewald Brevis.
Rajasthan Royals are open to the idea of parting ways with their longtime superstar Sanju Samson, but they are not willing to do so in a straight one-for-one deal with Chennai Super Kings, reports Cricbuzz. The RR team management wants one more player from CSK as part of the exchange, and this demand has now become the major hurdle in finalizing the deal.
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The player the Royals are eyeing is none other than young South African batsman Dewald Brewis, who joined CSK midway through last season. Brewis’ rise in the franchise cricket world has been extraordinary. Over the past few months, he has become one of the most talked-about young batsmen in the franchise leagues.
Brewis’ explosive hitting and fearless attitude have made him a top target for many teams. They even secured a record bid from Pretoria Capitals in the SA20 auction earlier this year, where Joburg Super Kings (the CSK-owned franchise) backed out in the final stages of bidding.
No Dewald Brevis in Ravindra Jadeja-Sanju Samson trade deal: CSK’s clear message to RR
Well, CSK is not ready to let go of Brevis, especially after investing in his development and seeing him develop into a future superstar. According to reports, CSK have a tough stance and they are only willing to replace Ravindra Jadeja for Samson, without including any other player.
The CSK management believes that leaving out a proven match-winner like Ravindra Jadeja is already a big decision, and adding another key player like Brewis will make the deal one-sided. It is also being said that before getting involved in trade discussions, CSK held internal talks with Jadeja to keep him informed about the talks.
The franchise has maintained strong communication and mutual respect with the Indian all-rounder, who has been one of their biggest match-winners over the years.
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Manoj Badale leads trade talks with CSK; SRH said no to the deal with Sanju Samson
On the other hand, RR owner Manoj Badale is directly taking command of the talks. He is currently in Mumbai and has been actively involved in discussions with the CSK camp. At the same time, the Royals have reportedly kept backup options open.
They have reached out to other franchises including Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), Delhi Capitals (DC) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to explore options if the deal with CSK falls through. However, SRH are not interested in any deal involving Samson.
The team already has a powerful top order that includes Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma as well as Ishan Kishan and Heinrich Klaasen, who have cemented their places in the middle order. With such a settled lineup, SRH are not looking for another top-order wicketkeeper-batsman right now.