A high-profile trade between Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) involving Ravindra Jadeja, Sanju Samson, and Sam Curran has reportedly stalled just before the IPL 2026 auction.
Trade Hits Technical Roadblock
The much-anticipated swap between Jadeja and Samson ran into trouble because of a rule on overseas players. Reports say the deal was nearly final before it got stuck due to RR’s foreign player limit.
Royals Exceed Overseas Quota
Rajasthan Royals already have eight overseas players on their roster, which blocks them from adding England all-rounder Sam Curran from CSK. As per IPL rules, a team cannot hold more than eight foreign players at any time.
Financial Hurdles Add Pressure
RR’s purse balance stands at only Rs 30 lakh, while Curran’s base value is Rs 2.4 crore. The franchise must release at least one of its current overseas players each signed for a minimum of Rs 2.4 crore last year before any trade can proceed.
Likely Player Releases
The Royals’ foreign list includes Shimron Hetmyer, Jofra Archer, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Kwena Maphaka, Nandre Burger, and Lhuandre Pretorius. Reports suggest Hasaranga or Theekshana could be released to make room for Curran.
Indian Swap Remains Clear
The Indian part of the deal Jadeja for Samson isn’t a problem. Both were retained by their franchises for Rs 18 crore each before the IPL 2025 mega auction. The trade was seen as a balanced exchange to meet both teams’ needs.
What the Delay Means for Teams
For CSK, securing Samson could help build a leadership core beyond MS Dhoni’s tenure. For RR, adding Jadeja would boost their spin and all-round options. But unless they release a foreign player and fix their purse, the trade will remain on hold.
Both teams must act fast if they want this swap cleared before the IPL 2026 auction.
