Who said what - top 5 expert reactions to reports of Ravindra Jadeja-Sanju Samson trade ahead of IPL 2026 Auction ft. Ravichandran Ashwin

The ongoing IPL 2026 trade deal between the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and the Rajasthan Royals (RR) for Ravindra Jadeja and Sanju Samson has become a trending topic over the last three days. As per ESPNcricinfo, RR have demanded all-rounders – Jadeja and Sam Curran in return for Samson.

Notably, Samson and Jadeja are pillars of the two franchises. Samson made his debut with RR in 2013. Meanwhile, Jadeja joined the Super Kings in 2012. The two players missed only the 2016-17 seasons for their franchises due to a two-year suspension. Interestingly, the two players have the same salary bracket of ₹18 crore.

Following the reports, several former cricketers, including Ravichandran Ashwin and Mohammad Kaif, expressed their views on the CSK-RR trade deal.

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Who said what - top 5 expert reactions to reports of Ravindra Jadeja-Sanju Samson trade ahead of IPL 2026 Auction ft. Ravichandran Ashwin

Ravichandran Ashwin

Ravichandran Ashwin, who has played for both CSK and RR, feels that Sanju Samson’s presence will boost the Super Kings’ top order, but Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran’s absence will cost them a finisher. The 39-year-old believes that the deal is a bulletproof plan for Samson, who can play for CSK for the next 8-9 years. He said on his YouTube channel:

“What CSK gain from the trade is the ability for Ruturaj Gaikwad to bat at No. 3. And with Sanju opening, you won't get a better top three in the IPL. But what's consistently been worrying for CSK is the lack of another finisher with MS Dhoni. Brevis is a middle-order enforcer. So, when a Ravindra Jadeja or Sam Curran get released/traded, there is a vacuum in that position. Can you fill that role even if you acquire Cameron Green for 28-30 crores?”

The cricketer-turned-analyst added that the Royals would only benefit from Jadeja and Curran.

“So, an experienced Jadeja and Sam Curran, with his recent prowess with the bat, while adding extra overs, really adds teeth to RR. I didn't expect this trade at all from CSK. Nevertheless, it's a futuristic move getting Sanju as a seven-eight-year bulletproof plan. A wicketkeeper batter and maybe a captaincy option. Both teams have gained from the trade, but for RR, it's like a prasadh.”

Subramaniam Badrinath

Former India cricketer Subramaniam Badrinath, who has won the IPL trophy with CSK, said that the Royals are at a loss if they decide to give away Sanju Samson for Ravindra Jadeja. The cricketer-turned-commentator believes that RR should have instead asked for Dewald Brevis. He told Star Sports:

“RR are okay with this? Because Samson's current value in the IPL is more than Jadeja. That's why they may not want only Jadeja but also another player. If I was RR, I won't accept this deal without the second player. I still believe that Jadeja is on the downward trend, but Sanju Samson has prime cricket left in him in the IPL. Even though I am getting Jadeja, if I was RR, I'll want Dewald Brevis and take a chance with that.”

Badrinath added that it would be a tough call for CSK to let go of Jadeja:

“He (Dhoni) has a lot of trust in Jadeja, who has won him many matches. In fact, it was MS Dhoni who created Ravindra Jadeja. If Jadeja has become what he has today, he has been mentored by MS Dhoni. So, this will be a tough call, involving long discussions.”

“I won't use the word sentiment, it's more of a relationship (CSK and Jadeja). It's more of a relationship between Dhoni and Jadeja also. Jadeja has been a lieutenant to Dhoni over the years. Dhoni has placed enormous trust in Jadeja, and Jadeja has also delivered performances. The Dhoni-Jadeja partnership has worked brilliantly for CSK. More than any of us, it's more important to find out what MS Dhoni is thinking. CSK will think not once or twice but almost 100 times before giving away Jadeja for Sanju Samson,” he added.

Mohammad Kaif

Former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif believes that Sanju Samson must have talked to MS Dhoni, adding that the former would be the future skipper for CSK. The 44-year-old pointed out that the Super Kings are releasing Jadeja for Samson for the captaincy option, adding the all-rounder failed to take the leadership role given to him in 2022. He said on his YouTube channel:

“If Samson is likely to join CSK, there would be a lot of calls. Sanju must have called on the phone. Behind the scenes, there are a lot of phone calls. Sanju might have spoken to CSK, maybe Dhoni, ‘Bhai kya lagta hai.’ See, Dhoni runs the team, and if CSK wants Sanju this time, then he is also the future captain.

“It also means that this is Dhoni’s last year. Why would they want Sanju? Jadeja has been playing for them for a long time (since 2012). The style of batting Sanju Samson has, he is more likely to succeed with the bat in Chennai than Rishabh Pant or KL Rahul. He might come at No. 3 or 4, and he can hit sixes in the middle overs.”

Kaif added:

“The two players started playing IPL in 2008. Ever since he went to CSK, he hasn’t left it. If the trade is successful, this is Dhoni’s last year. There is also a chance that Dhoni might leave in the middle. If Sanju comes and starts to play, he gets comfortable with the management and Dhoni. In that case, Dhoni might ask Sanju to take over.

“We left Jadeja, our match-winner over the years, but we need a future captain. They previously made Jadeja the captain. He couldn’t manage things. He didn’t like the leadership. In the middle, he said that he can’t do it. All players can’t do captaincy in the IPL. In the long-term plan, Dhoni wants to sacrifice Jadeja to bring in a player who can take over leadership after the Dhoni era.”

Suresh Raina

CSK legend Suresh Raina wants the franchise to retain Ravindra Jadeja ahead of the IPL 2026 season. Calling him a gun player, the cricketer-turned-commentator told Star Sports (via NDTV):

"Ravindra Jadeja should again retain him. I think he is a gun player for CSK and has done really, really well. Sir Ravindra Jadeja should be there."

Raina also wants CSK to retain other players, including MS Dhoni and Noor Ahmad. He said in the same interaction:

"Noor Ahmad should be retained. He's a mystery spinner, so he must be kept. MS Dhoni should definitely be retained; he is playing this year, so he should remain with the team. Ruturaj Gaikwad should continue as captain."

Notably, Raina has won the 2010, 2011, 2018, and 2021 titles with the franchise.

Priyank Panchal

Former cricketer Priyank Panchal has warned CSK about trading Ravindra Jadeja ahead of the IPL 2026 season. He pointed out that Jadeja has helped the Super Kings win three IPL trophies with his all-round skills.

Panchal wrote on X:

“Trading Jadeja bhai for Sanju could be one of the bigger mistakes @ChennaiIPL could make. For a franchise known to sticking by their legends, they shouldn’t be letting go of someone who’s served them so tirelessly for so long, won multiple championships, and is an icon of team.”

Notably, Jadeja helped CSK win the 2018, 2021, and 2023 IPL titles. The southpaw smashed a six and a four when the team needed 10 runs off two balls in the 2023 final against the Gujarat Titans (GT).