Major shake-ups are happening in the IPL! Get ready for some surprising team shifts as we dive into the latest player trades that are set to redefine the landscape of the Indian Premier League for the 2026 season.
First off, we have a blockbuster trade: Sanju Samson, the former captain of the Rajasthan Royals, is heading to Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in exchange for Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran. This is undoubtedly one of the most significant player swaps in IPL history. Samson, who led the Royals for five seasons, was retained for a hefty ₹18 crore before the 2025 season. CSK had also held onto Jadeja for the same amount, while Curran was acquired for ₹2.4 crore at auction. Samson will join CSK for the same fee, but Jadeja's fee has been adjusted to ₹14 crore. Curran's fee remains unchanged.
Jadeja expressed his excitement about returning to the Rajasthan Royals, stating, "Rajasthan Royals gave me my first platform and my first taste of victory... Coming back feels special - it's not just a team for me, it's home."
Samson, after 11 years with the Royals, sought a change, expressing his desire to be released after the 2025 season.
Jadeja's return to the Royals is particularly noteworthy, as he began his IPL journey with them in the inaugural 2008 season. He has been with CSK since 2012, with a brief hiatus during the 2016 and 2017 seasons when the franchise was suspended. He even captained CSK in 2022 but later relinquished the role to MS Dhoni.
For Curran, this marks his third IPL franchise, having played for CSK and Punjab Kings between 2019 and 2025.
Kumar Sangakkara, RR's director of cricket, highlighted the significance of Jadeja's return, noting his understanding of the franchise and his ability to influence the game. He added that Curran's adaptability and pressure-handling skills would be a valuable asset.
But here's where it gets controversial... The decision to let go of Jadeja and Curran was made with mutual understanding, according to CSK's managing director, Kasi Viswanathan. He emphasized the team's gratitude for Jadeja's contributions and welcomed Samson, whose skills complement their ambitions.
And this is the part most people miss... Other notable trades include:
- Mohammed Shami moving from Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) to Lucknow Super Giants (LSG).
- Nitish Rana from Rajasthan Royals (RR) to Delhi Capitals (DC).
- Mayank Markande returning to Mumbai Indians (MI) from Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).
- Donovan Ferreira rejoining RR from DC with a salary increase.
- Arjun Tendulkar going from MI to LSG.
Shami's move to LSG will see him continue at his existing fee, while Rana, Markande, and Tendulkar will also remain at their current salaries. Ferreira, however, will see his fee increase upon his return to RR.
What do you think of these trades? Do you agree with the teams' decisions? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
