IPL’s Biggest Trade Finalized: Ravindra Jadeja to RR, Sanju Samson to CSK

The trade deal between Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) for Sanju Samson and Ravindra Jadeja has been finalized. This is considered a significant deal for both teams, perhaps the biggest trade in IPL history. Both Jadeja and Sanju are valued at ₹18 crore (approximately $1.8 billion). He is perhaps the best all-rounder in Indian and world cricket. He could now captain Rajasthan. Meanwhile, Samson could well captain CSK someday.

An IPL CEO, speaking to Cricbuzz on condition of anonymity, called this a great deal for Rajasthan Royals. For CSK, it's shocking that they let go a brilliant all-rounder so easily. Now, with MS Dhoni on the verge of retirement, the biggest question is: who is the face of CSK? After MS Dhoni, it was always Jadeja. Does the team have a representative face after Mahi's retirement? Incidentally, Cricbuzz was the first to report on November 11th that BCCI had cleared the deal for Jadeja and Samson. The official announcement could come on Saturday, November 15th.

Ravindra Jadeja was acquired by CSK in 2012 through a secret bid, which was considered a record price at the time. Sir Jadeja has lived up to expectations, winning numerous matches for the franchise, including the 2023 IPL final. He hit a six and a four off the last two balls. His friendship with Dhoni was evident after those memorable shots. CSK fans never imagined the two would ever part ways like this.

The report also states that the two spoke before the trade process began and agreed that the move was in everyone's best interest. Jadeja will turn 37 in December this year. He has already retired from T20 international cricket. With Noor Ahmed in the team, it was also discussed that a situation could arise where Jadeja could be dropped from the playing XI, a move he might not like. It was also discussed that Chepauk is no longer a spin-friendly ground.

When Jadeja was briefly appointed captain in 2022, he had serious disagreements with the franchise, but this time it is believed that they have parted ways amicably. Jadeja played 185 matches for CSK in the IPL, scoring 2,000 runs and taking over 140 wickets at an economy rate of less than 8. He also played 14 Champions League T20 matches for the franchise.

What would the Super Kings gain from selling Jadeja, their second-most popular player? This remains a mystery. Now it has emerged that CSK had been trying to acquire Samson for the past three years, and their search for an Indian wicketkeeper-top-order batsman finally ended with the Indian T20 opener.

It's worth noting that Samson hasn't performed particularly well at Chepauk. His figures are as follows: 29 off 17 balls in 2015, 8 off 10 balls in 2019, 0 off 2 balls in 2023, 15 off 19 balls in 2024, and 10 off 11 balls in 2024. He has a total of 59 runs in five innings, which have come at an average of 11.8 and a strike rate of 100.