Major trade update from Sanju Samson ahead of IPL 2026

Rajasthan Royals (RR) captain Sanju Samson reportedly wants to leave the franchise, while the inaugural IPL champions are reportedly searching for a strong alternative. There is new progress in this story, as the franchise is reportedly knocking on the door of Chennai Super Kings (CSK) for a trade deal.

Rajasthan Royals' most capped player and most capped captain with a record number of wins, Sanju Samson, reportedly wants to leave the franchise since the end of IPL 2025. He made his IPL debut for the franchise in 2013, and apart from 2016 and 2017, when the Royals were suspended and he served for Delhi Daredevils (presently known as Delhi Capitals), he has served for the franchise in every IPL season. However, the present RR skipper isn't reportedly happy with the franchise due to the lack of decision-making freedom in the late stages of the last IPL season, including losing his opening batting spot to the youngsters Yashasvi Jaiswal and Vaibhav Suryavanshi.

See Also: 'Riyan Parag is the reason...'- Former CSK batter reveals why Sanju Samson wants to leave RR ahead of IPL 2026

IPL 2026 trade: Sanju Samson out for either Ravindra Jadeja, Ruturaj Gaikwad, or Shivam Dube

While Samson is reportedly desperate to leave the franchise, the Rajasthan Royals are reportedly looking for the best trade deal option at the moment. According to the latest Cricbuzz report, RR want either Ravindra Jadeja, Ruturaj Gaikwad, or Shivam Dube for the trade of Samson. 

Ruturaj Gaikwad is 6th leading IPL run-scorer since 2021

Ruturaj Gaikwad is the present CSK captain, who missed out on the second half of the IPL 2025 due to injury, where MS Dhoni returned to lead the franchise. In 71 IPL matches, he has scored 2502 runs with an average of 40.35 and a strike rate of 137.47, including two centuries and 20 half-centuries. While he has played four complete IPL seasons (2021 to 2024), he scored 500+ runs in three of those seasons. Since 2021, he has been the sixth-highest run-scorer in IPL.

Ravindra Jadeja and Shivam Dube previously played for Rajasthan Royals

Meanwhile, the all-rounders Ravindra Jadeja and Shivam Dube both previously played for Rajasthan Royals, while the former was a key member during winning the inaugural IPL title (2008). Jadeja served for Royals between 2008 and 2009, where he played 27 matches. In the meantime, Dube served for Royals in the 2021 edition and played nine games.