Wicket-keeper batsman Sanju Samson has been in the news in recent times for two reasons. First, for being dropped from India’s T20I XI, with the Indian team management preferring Shubman Gill as the opener and Jitesh Sharma now coming in as the keeper.
Secondly, and perhaps an even bigger proposition these days, is his potential trade to the Chennai Super Kings (CSK). It has been a while since it’s been known that Samson had told the Rajasthan Royals (RR) that he wants to part ways with the franchise, either being traded away or being released into the auction pool for the IPL 2026 auction.
The RR franchise, who also parted ways with head coach Rahul Dravid, has reportedly been actively in talks with multiple franchises in recent weeks—apart from CSK, RR have reportedly discussed with Sunrisers Hyderabad, Lucknow Super Giants, Delhi Capitals, and Kolkata Knight Riders—to trade Samson.
Is Sanju Samson being traded to CSK for Ravindra Jadeja?
Cricbuzz has reported that RR and CSK are in firm talks of trading Sanju Samson and Ravindra Jadeja, the all-rounder who played for the Royals in the first two IPL seasons. While CSK and Jadeja have reportedly agreed to the trade, it has been learned that RR are also asking for Dewald Brevis with Jadeja, but that negotiation has been flatly denied by CSK.
The Cricbuzz report said, “The deal-breaker over the CSK-RR deal, it is understood, is the latter’s demand for Dewald Brevis, the South African who came into the CSK ranks midway last season.”
Brevis joined CSK at the midpoint last season as a replacement player for the injured Gurjapneet Singh and ended up being the only bright takeaway in what was a disastrous tournament for MS Dhoni’s side. Brevis blasted 225 runs in six matches at a strike rate of 180 with two blistering fifties.
There is no chance that CSK are letting the 22-year-old Brevis leave after his sparkling returns last season. CSK, in fact, are not willing to add any other player to the Samson-Jadeja trade deal.
Further, the Sunrisers Hyderabad were quick to end the trade talks with RR given they already have Abhishek Sharma, Travis Head, and Ishan Kishan as an explosive top three. There had been rumors about SRH pondering over releasing/trading Heinrich Klaasen, whom they had retained for INR 23 crore, but SRH sources confirmed to Cricbuzz that the rumors are false.
What is the deadline date for IPL 2026 retentions?
November 15 is the deadline date for the franchises to lock their retained and released players, while the IPL 2026 auction is expected to take place in mid-December.
Meanwhile, coming to Samson, he was pushed in the middle order in the Asia Cup as Shubman Gill returned to the T20I XI, not least as a vice-captain, which meant Samson, despite his terrific form as an opener for India since late 2024, saw his spot being taken away.
He did play a couple of good innings in the Asia Cup in the middle order, including a vital 24 in the final against Pakistan, but after just one low score in Australia, he was dropped from the side, replaced by Jitesh Sharma, who specializes in the finishing role.
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