"Everyone knows that Sanju Samson wants to leave Rajasthan" - Former CSK star's massive statement on trade rumours ahead of IPL 2026 auction

Former Chennai Super Kings (CSK) star Ravichandran Ashwin made a massive statement on the trade rumours involving Sanju Samson, Ravindra Jadeja, CSK and the Rajasthan Royals (RR) ahead of the IPL 2025 auction.

According to a report by ESPN Cricinfo, the Rajasthan Royals are set to trade Sanju Samson to CSK in exchange for Jadeja and Sam Curran. Ashwin reckoned that Samson wanting to leave Rajasthan was known to everyone. While the RR-CSK trade deal is doing the rounds, Ashwin also highlighted that Rajasthan were previously close to completing a trade deal with Delhi Capitals (DC), involving Tristan Stubbs and Sameer Rizvi. He reckoned that moving to Delhi would have been beneficial for Samson.

"Everyone knows that Sanju Samson wants to leave Rajasthan. Other franchises will be interested for his skill and talent and also that it weakens the other side. From my view, Tristan Stubbs and Sameer Rizvi for Samson in Delhi was very close to completion but it did not happen. It made sense for Delhi and the wicket was good for batting there so it was best for Samson. If you score more in the IPL you are in the limelight. This trade would be have made more sense for Sanju. It was a good deal for RR as well as they had troubles in finishing," he said on 'Ash ki Baat'.

However, with the deal falling apart, Ashwin reflected that the scenario had changed for Rajasthan.

"Now things have changed for RR. In these many years, CSK and MI have never let go of players in return for a trade. So CSK would only tell that we will do a cash deal. But you cannot replace a high marquee player, a captain, and an opener like Sanju at the auction," he added.

Sanju Samson has led Rajasthan for multiple seasons now. Overall, he has played 177 matches in the IPL. The right-hander has scored 4704 runs at an average of 30.94 and a strike-rate of 139.04 with three hundreds and 26 half-centuries.

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Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran for Sanju Samson a phenomenal deal for Rajasthan, reckons Ashwin

Ravichandran Ashwin reckoned that Rajasthan Royals trading in Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran for Sanju Samson would be a phenomenal deal if it went through.

Ashwin explained that Jadeja could be a solid finishing option for Rajasthan as the Jaipur pitch would suit him better. He added that Sam Curran coming in as an all-rounder would give them flexibility.

"We can only say for whom this trade will be better after the IPL 2026 season and not before that. adeja won one title for CSK with his batting in the last three years. Maybe he is not striking at 190-200 but he is still one of the best finishers going around. He is doing a fine job," he said.

"Keeping this is mind that he has a better strike-rate and average against fast bowlers than spinners, that trade is going to be amazing news for RR. Jadeja gives the finishing skill and Jaipur is a venue that will suit him as the ball does not spin much. Now their young batters at the top can express themselves more because Jadeja will take care of the finishing. If Sam Curran goes with him, he floats, and gives them that bowling option, it is a phenomenal deal for RR," he added.

Rajasthan struggled with their finishing in the batting and lacked an extra bowling option as well. The Sanju Samson trade could very well solve their issues heading into the next season.