"Franchise is important and not an individual player" - Aakash Chopra’s big statement on reports of CSK's trading Ravindra Jadeja ahead of IPL 2026

Former batter Aakash Chopra reflected on reports around Chennai Super Kings (CSK) trading Ravindra Jadeja ahead of the IPL 2026 auction. CSK are likely to let go of Jadeja and Sam Curran in exchange for Sanju Samson from the Rajasthan Royals (RR).

Chopra highlighted CSK's mindset surrounding the possible move. Pulling out some numbers, he pointed out that Ravindra Jadeja has picked up only 18 wickets in his last 28 matches for the franchise. Moreover, he has not bowled all four overs on multiple occasions and has even failed to deliver consistently with the bat.

Therefore, Chopra believed that CSK could be thinking of the team's benefit over an individual player.

"Jadeja has played 28 matches in the last two seasons and had picked just 18 wickets so there is a problem. He has not bowled his full quota of four overs many times. He is not taking wickets. So Chennai could think of going in another direction. So they might think the franchise is important and not an individual player," he said on his YouTube channel.

Jadeja was retained for a massive sum of ₹18 crores by the franchise. Last season, he scored 301 runs at an average of 33.44 and a strike-rate of 135.58. With the ball, he bagged just 10 wickets at an average of 32.40.

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Aakash Chopra on fans calling CSK 'disloyal franchise' amid Ravindra Jadeja trade reports

Given the buzz around the possible trade of Ravindra Jadeja, fans have called CSK a 'disloyal franchise' for letting go of a player who has had a long association with them.

Jadeja joined CSK in 2012 and has been with them ever since, barring the two seasons in 2016 and 2017 when the franchise was suspended temporarily. He has won three titles with them in 2018, 2021, and 2023, playing a key role in their triumphs.

However, Aakash Chopra urged the fans to be mature and look at what would be good for the franchise over individual players. While Ravindra Jadeja could no longer be with CSK, Chopra highlighted that Sanju Samson coming in was a future investment that would benefit the team.

"Some fans are saying that CSK have become a disloyal franchise. They let Raina also go and now Jadeja is going. There is a question mark on their loyalty. I understand that. But as a Chennai fan, you should only think about which move will help the team do well. All other things are nonsense. Fans have to mature no matter who stays or goes, and that includes everyone, even Dhoni. Now with no Ashwin and Jadeja, it looks like the spin department is a little thin. But Samson is a great addition in the batting and is your future investment," he said.

CSK finished at the bottom of the table last season. The team struggled and will have a lot of work to do during the upcoming auction. The five-time champions will aim to bounce back strong.