Sanju Samson to CSK may happen if Rajasthan Royals accept Ravindra Jadeja sans demand for South African: Report

A swap deal that initially failed to materialise between Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) is back on track, a report claimed. There is a real possibility of veteran all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja heading back to his former franchise in a swap deal including RR's talismanic captain Sanju Samson.

Rajasthan Royals are unhappy with the direct swap going ahead and insists CSK include a second player in the mix of things — which is reportedly the hurdle before the deal is sealed.

Both Jadeja and Samson are worth Rs 18 crore, but the Royals want South African Dewald Brevis to be included in the deal, Cricbuzz said in a report. The hard-hitting youngster was a game-changer for the Yellow Army after entering its ranks midway last season. He continues the sublime form to this date, and CSK is not ready to let go of the player. Owner Manoj Badale is himself in charge of the negotiations for the Pink side, who is unlikely to get their additional demand granted by the five-time champions. RR seems adamant despite the fact that CSK is willing to offer one of their most adored stars in a trade deal.

CSK had approached Jadeja before entering the swap deal talks, and the 36-year-old all-rounder did not object, the Cricbuzz report said. Sunrisers Hyderabad, Delhi Capitals, and Kolkata Knight Riders were all linked to Samson over the months, who is reportedly unsettled at RR ever since the management decided against retaining England batter Jos Buttler.The England international's departure ultimately led to Samson making up his mind about his IPL future. Multiple reports claim that the T20 World Cup winner has requested the Royals management to either involve him in a swap deal or permit him to take part in the mini auction. The 31-year-old Sanju Samson was part of the Delhi team for the 2016–2017 season. However, the team was then called the Delhi Daredevils before the 2019 franchise rebranding rechristened the side as Delhi Capitals.

Samson's relationship with RR goes back a long, long way. It was the Royals who spotted him through the off-season IPL trials more than a decade ago and since then, the bond only grew stronger with him taking leadership inevitably. Given that he was one of the retained players ahead of the 2025 mega auction, he is contractually bound to the franchise till 2027. However, the IPL rules do have a facility to dictate terms when a player wants to leave the franchise earlier than stipulated. 

36-year-old Jadeja had announced retirement from the game's shortest format -- a day after India lifted the ICC T20 Cricket World Cup 2024.Fondly called Jaddu,  Jadeja is one of the finest fielders to have graced the game ever and evolved as one of MS Dhoni's trusted lieutenants at CSK in the post-Suresh Raina era. He has been instrumental in four of CSK's five IPL titles (2018, 2021, 2023, 2024) and famously hit the winning boundary against Gujarat Titans in the final ball of the rain-affected 2023 IPL final.

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