"Ravindra Jadeja was done with CSK" - Filthy details revealed

Former Team India opener Aakash Chopra opened up about veteran all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja accepting a reduced contract for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. Chopra stated that the all-rounder may have wanted to leave Chennai Super Kings (CSK), adding that there may be more behind the switch.

A major player trade took place between CSK and Rajasthan Royals (RR). CSK traded Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran to Rajasthan while receiving Sanju Samson in return. Notably, CSK had retained Jadeja for ₹18 crore ahead of the 2025 mega auction. However, he joined Rajasthan at a reduced value of ₹14 crore.

Maybe Ravindra Jadeja Was Done With CSK - Aakash Chopra

Aakash Chopra raised doubts about Ravindra Jadeja accepting a reduced contract. He noted that a player’s price cannot be altered without consent and also added that Rajasthan might have tempted Jadeja with captaincy.

SHORTS

View More

Your daily dose of cricket!

Loading...

"RR have got Jadeja but he has taken a pay cut. I am thinking he left CSK by taking a pay cut? Without a player's consent you cannot change their price. He has taken 4 crores less to leave Chennai and that is mind boggling," Chopra said on his YouTube channel.

"Why does someone take a pay cut? Maybe he was done with CSK and did not want to stay there. But he could have done that by going into the auction as well. Have RR offered him captaincy? Was that the incentive for which he has gone towards RR? It is very interesting. There has to be bit more to it," he added.

Rajasthan Royals Likely to Appoint Ravindra Jadeja as Captain for IPL 2026

With Sanju Samson no longer part of the Rajasthan Royals, the franchise will have to appoint a new captain for IPL 2026. Several names, including Ravindra Jadeja, Riyan Parag, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Dhruv Jurel, are in contention.

According to a report from the Times of India, Jadeja is the frontrunner for the captaincy. The choice has raised eyebrows because the Royals had been grooming Riyan Parag as Samson’s successor. Parag led the team during Samson’s injury absence in IPL 2025.

Jadeja brings leadership experience. He was appointed captain of Chennai Super Kings in 2022, but he stepped down mid-season due to poor results. The Royals are likely to back him with the captaincy role.

SRH Have Released a Lot of Players - Aakash Chopra

Aakash Chopra said that SunRisers Hyderabad will need to focus heavily on rebuilding their bowling attack at the IPL 2026 auction. The franchise has released several bowlers, including Mohammad Shami, Adam Zampa, Rahul Chahar, Wiaan Mulder, and Simarjeet Singh, leaving significant gaps to fill.

"SRH have released a lot of players so they will have to do something with the bowling. Their batting is alright and there is no need for change there. They have to shop for bowling and they have the money," he said.

SunRisers Hyderabad will enter the IPL 2026 auction with ₹25.50 crore in the purse. The Hyderabad team finished sixth last season and failed to qualify for the playoffs. They will look to use this budget to sign more reliable options ahead of the new campaign.

Also read: Jasprit Bumrah shatters Corbin Bosch's stumps (Watch Video)