IPL 2026 Shock Move: Ravindra Jadeja Leaves CSK, Joins Rajasthan Royals; BCCI Announces Full Trade List

IPL 2026 has already delivered a massive twist even before the official retention announcement. The BCCI has confirmed eight major player trades, with the biggest headline being Ravindra Jadeja’s exit from Chennai Super Kings (CSK) after more than six seasons. Jadeja has officially joined Rajasthan Royals (RR) for ₹14 crore, marking one of the most talked-about transfers of the year.

Jadeja, who played a crucial role in CSK’s title runs and has been one of the team’s strongest all-rounders, is expected to be a key pillar for RR in the upcoming season.

In a surprising counter move, CSK traded for Sanju Samson—one of the league’s most reliable and in-form performers. Sanju has moved to Chennai for ₹18 crore, where he will now play under the guidance of the CSK coaching staff and MS Dhoni. The franchise is reportedly building a strong three-year strategy around him.

CSK CEO K.S. Viswanathan admitted that letting go of long-time performers like Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran was one of the most difficult decisions in franchise history. However, he clarified that the decisions were made only after detailed discussions and full agreement from the players. He also praised Jadeja’s contributions to CSK as “unforgettable” and wished both players success in their future journeys.

Full IPL 2026 Trades Announced by BCCI:

Sanju Samson → CSK (₹18 crore)

Ravindra Jadeja → RR (₹14 crore)

Sam Curran → RR (₹2.4 crore)

Mohammed Shami → LSG (₹10 crore)

Mayank Markande → MI (₹30 lakh)

Arjun Tendulkar → LSG (₹30 lakh)

Nitish Rana → DC (₹4.2 crore)

Donovan Ferreira → RR (₹1 crore)

The trades have already set the stage for a dramatic IPL 2026 season with significant team reshuffles.