CSK Set To Shake Up Squad? Big Trade Rumored Ahead Of IPL 2026

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) might be planning a big trade ahead of the IPL 2026 season.

According to cricket analyst Prasanna Aghoram, CSK could be in talks to trade Ravichandran Ashwin and Shivam Dube to Rajasthan Royals (RR) in exchange for Sanju Samson. This comes after some recent hints, including Samson’s agent liking a post on X (formerly Twitter) that linked the wicketkeeper-batter to a possible move to CSK.

CSK may offer Ashwin and Dube for Samson

Prasanna, who has close ties to Ashwin, posted on X that CSK is looking to trade an Indian off-spinner and a left-handed middle-order batter in exchange for a top-order batter. This has led to speculation that Ashwin and Dube are the two players CSK may offer for Samson.

Ashwin had returned to CSK in the IPL 2025 mega auction after 10 years, but his performance was underwhelming. He took just 7 wickets in 9 matches and didn’t have much impact.

Sanju Samson’s arrival could boost CSK’s top-order batting with his experience and aggressive style.

In return, RR would be gaining Ashwin, a seasoned spinner, and Dube, a dependable batter who adds depth to the middle order.

Meanwhile, Dube has grown into a vital part of CSK’s batting unit over the past few seasons. During IPL 2025, he scored 357 runs in 14 games, showing consistency and power, especially with his ability to clear the ropes with ease.

Some fans wonder if the middle-order batter being talked about could be Ravindra Jadeja, but it is more likely to be Dube. Jadeja is a senior all-rounder and plays a bigger role in the team compared to Dube, who is mainly focused on batting.

Sanju Samson, meanwhile, had a mixed 2025 season with RR. He missed several matches due to injury, and Riyan Parag took over captaincy for at least seven games. There were also rumors of a disagreement between Samson and head coach Rahul Dravid, which could be another reason for a possible team switch. Although this rift was denied by the team management, the situation has sparked further speculation about Samson’s future.

If the trade happens, it would be a major shake-up for both teams. Fans will now be watching closely to see how things unfold before IPL 2026.

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