CSK release official statement on abandoning Ravindra Jadeja; secrets unveiled

Published - 15 Nov 2025, 10:55 AM | Updated - 15 Nov 2025, 11:29 AM

Ravindra Jadeja and CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan. Image Credit: X

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Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have traded Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran for Saju Samson from Rajasthan Royals (RR) ahead of the IPL 2026 auction. Sanju Samson moved to Chennai Super Kings (CSK) for ₹18 crore, marking the biggest trade deal in the team’s history.

While Samson will now appear in the iconic yellow jersey, CSK legend Ravindra Jadeja will return to where his IPL journey began—the Rajasthan Royals. His move comes with a revised salary of ₹14 crore. They also have to lose the England all-rounder Sam Curran, who went to RR for ₹2.4 crore.

Kasi Viswanathan reveals why CSK made the hardest call to part ways with Ravindra Jadeja

After the official confirmation of the deal, the five-time champions have made it clear that the swap happened on mutual agreement with Jadeja and Curran. The franchise paid tribute to one of their long-serving warriors with a heartfelt post on social media.

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They shared moments from Ravindra Jadeja’s debut season with the CSK and captioned: The Sword that guarded the Yellove kingdom. There are players, and there are protectors. He was both. Today, we bow in gratitude. For the finishes. For the breakthrough spells. Always our Raja. Always our Thalapathy. Always our Jaddu!”

The Sword that guarded the Yellove kingdom.
There are players
and there are protectors.
He was both.

Today, we bow in gratitude.
For the finishes.
For the breakthrough spells.

Always our RaJa.
Always our Thalapathy.
Always our Jaddu!#WhistlePodu #ThalapathyForever pic.twitter.com/tzOLpvBqyF
— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) November 15, 2025

CSK CEO reveals bold strategy behind Sanju Samson–Ravindra Jadeja–Sam Curran trade

Meanwhile, CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan explained the thought process behind the major trade involving Samson, Jadeja, and Curran. He said the franchise usually avoids trading players and has done it only once before, when they brought in Robin Uthappa.

However, this time the team felt a strong need for a reliable Indian top-order batter. Since very few Indian batters of that quality were expected to be available in the IPL 2026 auction, the CSK CEO noted that the management believed the only practical way to secure one was through the trade window.

Viswanathan has pointed out that this situation led the franchise to take a very difficult decision to part ways with Ravindra Jadeja as the team is going through an important transition phase. He also stressed that before finalizing anything, CSK spoke directly with Curran and Jadeja, and the move was completed only after mutual understanding.

We took the toughest decision: Kasi Viswanathan on Ravindra Jadeja's exit

In an Instagram video, CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan stated, “Considering the transition of the CSK at this point of time, the team management took the toughest decision. It was probably one of the toughest decisions the CSK had to take, as team management had to take.

It is a must that we should consult the players concerned, and it was after mutual agreement that we undertook this. See, when I spoke to Jadeja, he was also very clear that if there is an opportunity for him, because he also felt that he is at the far end of his career in white ball, he can also have a break.”

Speaking about Sam Curran, who was with the franchise in the 2020, 2021, and 2025 seasons, the CSK CEO said that the England all-rounder has been a consistent performer for them, so leaving him was also one of the toughest calls for the franchise.

'Fans emotional, but rebuild is essential for future'

Well, the Chennai Super Kings believes that rebuilding for the next few years is very important for them, especially because some players are nearing the end of their careers. With the upcoming event being a mini-auction, the options to find top Indian batters were very limited and that’s why they targeted Samson, who has experience, making him a strong long-term option for them.

Viswanathan admitted that fans would be emotional about these changes, and he has already received many messages from supporters expressing their feelings. However, he believes that the move was necessary to prepare CSK for the next chapter.