Chennai Super Kings (CSK) Managing Director, Kasi Viswanathan, recently opened up about one of the toughest decisions the franchise has ever had to make—parting ways with star all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja. Ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 auction, the league confirmed that Jadeja and Sam Curran were traded to Rajasthan Royals (RR), with CSK acquiring Sanju Samson as part of the deal.

While the news had already been swirling in cricket circles for days, the official announcement made it real for fans, many of whom expressed their disappointment at seeing long-standing figures of the franchise move on.

In a video shared by CSK, Viswanathan explained the reasoning behind the trade, revealing that the team had rarely taken the trading route, with Robin Uthappa being the last notable acquisition through this method. However, pressing needs ahead of the mini-auction—especially the shortage of top-order Indian batters in the pool—compelled the management to act decisively.

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“The team management felt the need for a top-order Indian batsman. Since not many were expected to be available in the auction, we thought the best way to secure one was via the trade window,” Kasi Viswanathan said. He acknowledged that letting go of Jadeja, who has been “responsible for CSK’s success over the years,” was emotionally and strategically difficult. However, both Jadeja and Sam Curran’s transfers were made with their full consent.

Jadeja, now entering what some might call the twilight of his white-ball career, reportedly agreed that a fresh start could benefit him. “He was clear that if there was an opportunity for him elsewhere, he was open to it,” Viswanathan added.

Sam Curran, another impactful performer during his CSK stints in 2020, 2021, and 2025, was also part of the trade. Viswanathan emphasised the importance of building for the future, noting that some players were nearing the end of their IPL careers. With a mini-auction impending, management wanted to secure long-term assets.

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Enter Sanju Samson—one of the most seasoned IPL batsmen, with more than 4,500 runs and experience as captain for Rajasthan Royals. “Sanju has the experience and is only around 30 years old. We believe he’s a great fit for CSK’s future,” Viswanathan said, acknowledging fan emotions but underscoring the franchise’s intent to maintain consistency and competitiveness.

Jadeja, who represented CSK for 12 seasons and played over 250 matches, will now join RR at a reduced league fee of Rs 14 crore, while Samson will join CSK at his existing fee of Rs 18 crore. For CSK, this marks the beginning of a new chapter in their storied legacy—one guided by strategy, foresight, and a look toward the next generation.