Chennai Super Kings (CSK) star Ravindra Jadeja isn’t leaving the franchise just yet. His much-talked-about trade to Rajasthan Royals (RR)—involving Sanju Samson and Sam Curran—has hit a temporary roadblock due to overseas player restrictions and financial constraints within the Royals’ camp.
The Trade That Shook IPL Fans
As first reported by Cricbuzz, CSK and RR began discussions nearly 48 hours ago to swap Jadeja and Samson in a high-profile trade. However, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has not received the final paperwork, meaning the trade remains “in process.”
While the Jadeja-for-Samson part of the deal is straightforward—both being Indian players—the Sam Curran inclusion complicates matters. Curran is an overseas player, and Rajasthan Royals’ current squad already features the maximum eight foreign players allowed under IPL rules.
RR’s Overseas and Budget Complications
RR’s foreign lineup currently includes Jofra Archer, Shimron Hetmyer, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Kwena Maphaka, Nandre Burger, and Lhuan-dre Pretorius. Unless at least one of them is released, Curran cannot be added to the team.
Adding to the challenge, the Royals have only INR 30 lakh left in their purse, whereas Curran’s contract value stands at INR 2.4 crore. Despite being three players short of the squad maximum (25), RR can’t afford him without freeing both a slot and sufficient funds.
Possible Solutions for RR
The franchise may release one or more overseas players with high price tags. According to reports, Wanindu Hasaranga (INR 5.25 cr) and Maheesh Theekshana (INR 4.40 cr) are being considered for release. Doing so would open an overseas slot and free up enough budget to acquire Curran.
However, the official decision is expected after the November 15 retention deadline, when all IPL franchises announce their retained and released player lists. Once that window opens, the Jadeja-Samson-Curran trade could still proceed.
What Happens Next?
Sources close to the negotiation suggest the trade is unlikely to collapse, though it may take more time. All franchises are focused on retention decisions before reopening trade talks.
For now, Ravindra Jadeja remains a CSK player, while RR’s management must decide how committed they are to reshaping their roster around the star all-rounder.
Final Takeaway
The Jadeja-Samson trade saga highlights how player value, overseas quotas, and franchise budgets impact IPL team dynamics. While fans await clarity, the situation underlines the strategic complexity behind every major trade in modern-day cricket.
