IPL 2026 trade talks: RR plan to swap captain Sanju Samson for CSK stars Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran, with Pathirana also on their radar.

Ahead of the Indian Premier League 2026, the Rajasthan Royals are reportedly planning to swap captain Sanju Samson for ace all-rounders Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran of the Chennai Super Kings. A recent development, however, indicates that Jadeja’s name in the transfer is set, but the five-time champions are still debating the second player. The first edition victors are hoping to sign Sri Lanka’s top pacer, Matheesha Pathirana, but CSK pushed for Curran when RR sought a second player in addition to Jadeja.

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According to the report, CSK is unwilling to trade Pathirana. It added that when RR proposed the Samson deal, they indicated their desire to sign Jadeja and asked for one more player, ideally Pathirana.

According to the report, Jadeja’s inclusion in the transaction was contingent upon the player’s assent. Prior to this, head coach Stephen Fleming, captain Ruturaj Gaikwad, and experienced player MS Dhoni of CSK had a lengthy conversation about the issue.

Having played for the Rajasthan Royals in the first two IPL seasons, Jadeja has primarily played for CSK, where he has not only been a key member of the team’s front line but was also elevated to captain when Dhoni resigned from the position prior to the 2022 season. The 27-year-old English all-rounder Curran has played for both Punjab Kings and CSK. However, the five-time champs are training a budding star pacer named Pathirana.

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After the completion of this year’s tournament, Samson, who has played for RR for 11 years, acknowledged that he was searching for a change and that he wanted to be released by the team.

Both RR and CSK must submit an expression of interest to the IPL governing council in order for the trade-off to move forward. Following the players’ written assent, the two teams must negotiate a definitive deal that must be approved by the governing body.