Former Team India opener Aakash Chopra talked about veteran all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja accepting a reduced contract for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. Chopra said that the all-rounder might want to leave Chennai Super Kings (CSK), adding that there could be more behind this change.
A key player trade took place between CSK and Rajasthan Royals (RR). CSK traded Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran to Rajasthan, while receiving Sanju Samson in return. Notably, CSK had retained Jadeja for ₹18 crore ahead of the 2025 mega auction. However, he joined Rajasthan at a low price of ₹14 crore.
It is possible that Ravindra Jadeja’s connection with CSK has ended – Aakash Chopra
Aakash Chopra expressed doubt over Ravindra Jadeja accepting lesser contracts. He said that the price of a player cannot be changed without his consent and also said that Rajasthan might have tempted Jadeja for captaincy.
“RR have got Jadeja but they have taken a pay cut. I wonder if he has taken a pay cut and left CSK? You can’t change a player’s price without his consent. He has taken Rs 4 crore less to leave Chennai and that is shocking,” Chopra said on his YouTube channel.
He said, “Why does someone take a pay cut? Maybe he has parted ways with CSK and doesn’t want to be there. But he could have done the same by going to the auction. Has RR offered him the captaincy? Was that the incentive for him to go to RR? It’s very interesting. There has to be something more to it.”
Rajasthan Royals may appoint Ravindra Jadeja as captain for IPL 2026
With Sanju Samson no longer a part of Rajasthan Royals, the franchise will have to appoint a new captain for IPL 2026. Many names are in contention including Ravindra Jadeja, Riyan Parag, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Dhruv Jurel.
According to a report in Times of India, Jadeja is the frontrunner in the race for captaincy. Questions have been raised on this decision as the Royals were grooming Riyan Parag as Samson’s successor. Parag led the team during Samson’s injury absence in IPL 2025.
Jadeja brings leadership experience. He was appointed captain of Chennai Super Kings in 2022, but stepped down midway through the season due to poor results. The Royals are likely to back him in the captaincy role.
SRH has released a lot of players – Aakash Chopra
Aakash Chopra said that Sunrisers Hyderabad will need to focus a lot on revamping their bowling attack in the IPL 2026 auction. The franchise has released several bowlers including Mohammed Shami, Adam Zampa, Rahul Chahar, Wiaan Mulder and Simarjeet Singh to fill the crucial void.
He said, “SRH have released many players so they have to do something in bowling. Their batting is fine and there is no need for changes there. They have to buy for bowling and they have money.”
Sunrisers Hyderabad will enter the IPL 2026 auction with ₹25.50 crore in the purse. The Hyderabad team finished sixth last season and failed to qualify for the playoffs. They would like to use this budget to sign more reliable options ahead of the new campaign.
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