CSK Breaks Silence After Trading Ravindra Jadeja To Rajasthan Royals

Chennai Super Kings Managing Director Kasi Viswanathan confirmed the emotional trade of Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran for Sanju Samson was driven by the urgent need for a top-order Indian batsman and a mutual understanding that Jadeja desired a “break” at the “fag end of his white-ball career.”

November 15, 2025: The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) management has spoken out regarding the franchise’s decision to trade long-time icon Ravindra Jadeja and all-rounder Sam Curran to the Rajasthan Royals (RR) for wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson, a move CSK Managing Director Kasi Viswanathan described as one of the most difficult in the team’s history.

Viswanathan acknowledged the deep emotional impact the trade had on the franchise and its fans, given that both Jadeja and Samson were considered the faces of their respective teams.

The Need for a Top-Order Indian Batter

The MD explained that the decision, which deviates from CSK’s long-standing aversion to trades, was purely a strategic necessity driven by the team’s need for a future-proof top-order Indian batsman ahead of the IPL 2026 mini-auction.

Kasi Viswanathan: “The team management felt the need for a top-order Indian batsman. And since not many Indian batsmen are going to be available at the auction, we thought the best way to get an Indian top-order batter is to go through the trade window.”

Viswanathan stressed that the decision to let go of Jadeja, who was responsible for much of CSK’s success over the years, was “one of the toughest calls that CSK had to take,” especially when considering the “transition of CSK at this point of time.”

Mutual Agreement and Jadeja’s ‘White Ball’ View

Crucially, Viswanathan confirmed that the decision was made after consultation and mutual agreement with the players concerned. He offered a poignant reason for Jadeja’s acceptance of the move.

Kasi Viswanathan: “When I spoke to Jadeja, he was also very clear that if there is an opportunity for him because he is also, he also felt that he was at the fag end of his career in white ball. So he also felt that he can have a break.”

Jadeja, who played over 250 matches for CSK across 12 seasons, will join RR at a revised fee of ₹14 crore.

The Future is Sanju Samson

In contrast, the acquisition of Sanju Samson, who is 30, is viewed as a significant investment in the future.

Kasi Viswanathan: “Sanju has been one of the most experienced IPL batsmen, having scored more than 4,500 runs. And he has also been leading Rajasthan Royals… So, we thought that he will be a good addition for CSK to take care of the future.”

Samson will join CSK at his existing fee of ₹18 crore, becoming only the third franchise he has represented since his IPL debut in 2013. The MD concluded by assuring emotionally affected fans that the management’s primary goal remains maintaining the team’s consistency and competitive