Rajasthan Royals Shake Up Squad with Major Trades Ahead of IPL 2026
In a dramatic move that has sent shockwaves through the cricketing world, the Rajasthan Royals have parted ways with their long-standing captain, Sanju Samson, trading him to the Chennai Super Kings just before the IPL 2026 retention deadline on November 15, 2025. This bold strategy signals a significant shift in the team's composition and ambitions for the upcoming season.
Blockbuster Trade: Samson for Jadeja and Curran
The cornerstone of Rajasthan Royals' pre-auction strategy is the high-profile swap with Chennai Super Kings. The franchise has decided to build its future around two proven all-rounders. In return for their skipper Sanju Samson, the Royals have successfully brought back their former star, the dynamic Ravindra Jadeja, for a whopping Rs 14 crore. Joining him from CSK is the talented English seam-bowling all-rounder, Sam Curran, acquired for Rs 2.4 crore.
Strategic Acquisitions and Financial Plays
Beyond the headline-grabbing Samson trade, the Royals' management has been busy securing other valuable assets. In a move being hailed as a masterstroke, the team secured the services of hard-hitting South African batsman Donovan Ferreira from the Delhi Capitals for just INR 1 crore. To facilitate this deal, they traded Nitish Rana to Delhi, who moved for a price of Rs 4.2 crore, giving RR a positive financial balance from the transaction.
The article also mentions that the specific lists of all retained and released players by Rajasthan Royals for the IPL 2026 auction are yet to be officially announced, building anticipation for the final squad reveal.
