RR-DC almost agreed to swap players before CSK re-entered with Jadeja

After months of speculation, Sanju Samson’s exit from Rajasthan Royals (RR) seems imminent. With the IPL 2026 retention deadline set for November 15, there’s not much time left and according to rumours, his trade deal is all but confirmed. While everyone now knows about his future proposition with the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), there was another team who almost pulled through the deal for Samson but couldn’t agree on all the conditions.

RR were on the verge of finalizing a deal with Delhi Capitals (DC) before Chennai Super Kings came back into the picture with a fresh offer involving Ravindra Jadeja and another star player.

RR-DC deal fell apart at the last moment

According to Times of India, Rajasthan Royals and Delhi Capitals were in advanced talks for a swap between Sanju Samson and South African batter Tristan Stubbs. The negotiations had progressed smoothly, and both sides were close to an agreement until RR demanded the inclusion of uncapped batter Sameer Rizvi as part of the deal. Delhi were unwilling to part with Rizvi, a player they see as a big future asset. The disagreement brought the talks to an abrupt end, even after some Delhi players had heard about the proposed trade.

Aside from Rizvi, Rajasthan could’ve asked for either Vipraj Nigam or Ashutosh Sharma, both uncapped but with a high ceiling. DC acquired Rizvi for Rs 95 lakh while paid  Rs 3.80 crore and Rs 50 lakh for Ashutosh and Nigam, respectively.

CSK reopen talks for Jadeja-Samson exchange

With the Delhi deal collapsing, Rajasthan quickly reopened discussions with Chennai Super Kings (CSK). The two franchises had earlier explored a potential Jadeja-for-Samson swap, but talks had gone cold when DC entered the scene. This time, though, there is serious intent. RR want Jadeja and one more CSK player, either Sam Curran or Matheesha Pathirana. Chennai, meanwhile, have reportedly spoken to Jadeja to get clarity on his plans and future at the franchise.

CSK are understood to be weighing their options carefully. While they are open to letting Jadeja go, parting with either Curran or Pathirana will depend on how the negotiations play out. It is also learnt that Dewald Brevis and Shivam Dube were discussed but CSK rejected those options. It would’ve been gold for Rajasthan if they had got Brevis or even Dube, who is a T20 World Cup and Asia Cup winner now.

Samson was retained by RR for INR 18 crore, while Jadeja and Curran are worth INR 20.4 crore combined. Pathirana, however, comes with a hefty INR 13 crore tag. The trade, if finalized before the November 15 retention deadline, could go down as one of the biggest player exchanges in IPL history. For now, the Delhi deal is off the table, and it is CSK or nothing for Sanju Samson.