Media365
In a blockbuster trade ahead of IPL 2026, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have acquired veteran Indian wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson from Rajasthan Royals (RR), while sending Men in Yellow legend Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran to RR. This move marks one of the biggest trade deals in IPL history. CSK Managing Director Kasi Viswanathan described the decision to part ways with Jadeja as one of the toughest the franchise has faced. “We felt the need for a top-order Indian batsman, and since not many Indian batsmen will be available at the auction, the trade window was the best option. Leaving Jaddu was extremely difficult given his contribution to CSK’s success over the years,” Viswanathan said in a video released by the team.
Jadeja, who represented RR in 2008-09 and CSK from 2012 to 2025 (with brief stints at Kochi Tuskers Kerala and Gujarat Lions), leaves as CSK’s leading wicket-taker with 143 scalps in 186 matches and their highest run-getter in IPL history with 2,198 runs.
CSK Released Players (2026)
| No. | Player Name | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ravindra Jadeja | Traded to RR |
| 2 | Matheesha Pathirana | Released |
| 3 | Devon Conway | Released |
| 4 | Rachin Ravindra | Released |
| 5 | Sam Curran | Traded to RR |
| 6 | Rahul Tripathi | Released |
| 7 | Vansh Bedi | Released |
| 8 | C Andre Siddarth | Released |
| 9 | Deepak Hooda | Released |
| 10 | Vijay Shankar | Released |
| 11 | Shaik Rasheed | Released |
| 12 | Kamlesh Nagarkoti | Released |
CSK Retained Players (2026)
| No. | Player Name | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ruturaj Gaikwad | Retained |
| 2 | Ayush Mhatre | Retained |
| 3 | Dewald Brevis | Retained |
| 4 | MS Dhoni | Retained |
| 5 | Urvil Patel | Retained |
| 6 | Sanju Samson | Traded from RR |
| 7 | Shivam Dube | Retained |
| 8 | Jamie Overton | Retained |
| 9 | Ramakrishna Ghosh | Retained |
| 10 | Noor Ahmad | Retained |
| 11 | Khaleel Ahmad | Retained |
| 12 | Anshul Kamboj | Retained |
| 13 | Gurjanpreet Singh | Retained |
| 14 | Nathan Ellis | Retained |
| 15 | Shreyas Gopal | Retained |
| 16 | Mukesh Choudhary | Retained |
Auction Details: CSK will have ₹43.4 crore left to spend at the IPL 2026 mega auction. They have 9 slots remaining to fill in the upcoming season.
