Sanju Samson to Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Ravindra Jadeja to Rajasthan Royals trade has been the trending discussion ahead of the IPL retentions. If the swap were to materialize, Chennai Super Kings(CSK) will be losing an all-rounder and gaining a wicket-keeper batter. Former Indian selector Kris Srikkanth has pointed out that although Sanju Samson Samson is a superb player, it is important to have all-rounders in the side, and if CSK wanted to groom a successor to MS Dhoni, they already have Urvil Patel as an option available.
IPL teams rarely work on emotions, but if there’s one team that has done that time and again, it is the five-time champions, Chennai Super Kings (CSK). A team that has often worked on emotions in the past, CSK have reportedly taken a bold move of trading their star all-rounders Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran for Rajasthan Royals’ Sanju Samson.
Sanju Samson’s potential trade to Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in exchange for Ravindra Jadeja to Rajasthan Royals (RR) has become one of the most talked-about topics ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 retentions. If the swap were to happen, CSK would be parting ways with a world-class all-rounder while acquiring a proven wicketkeeper-batter.
Former India cricketer Kris Srikkanth weighed in on the discussion, stating that while Samson is an excellent player, CSK’s balance relies heavily on having quality all-rounders. He further noted that if the franchise is looking for a long-term successor to MS Dhoni, they already have Urvil Patel in their setup who could be groomed for the role.
Kris Srikkanth raises questions on CSK’s retention policy ahead of IPL 2026
The high-profile trade of Ravindra Jadeja and Sanju Samson is on the verge of being formalised by all the parties, after mutual agreement to add Sam Curran to the deal. This would mark the end of Jadeja’s association with the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), having won three Indian Premier League (IPL) titles with them.
Since joining CSK in 2012, he has played 200 matches for the franchise, which is joint-second alongside Suresh Raina.As he looks set to leave for his former team Rajasthan Royals (RR), former India player Kris Srikkanth has opposed the move and asked CSK not to go ahead with it.
The move has certainly triggered the fans, as questions of loyalty and value have yet again come to the fore. Former Indian opener and selector, Kris Srikkanth, joined in the debate, slamming the five-time IPL winners for reportedly letting go of Jadeja for the 31-year-old Samson.
“If I have to be honest, Sanju Samson is a brilliant cricketer, no two ways about it. I’m not questioning his abilities; he’s done really well in the IPL. If I’m a selector, there’s no one like Ravindra Jadeja,” Srikkanth said on his YouTube channel.
“You have to look at two things: Who is the more valuable player? He’s [Jadeja] a world-class all-rounder. Left-arm spin, left-handed batter and a gun fielder, he will save 20 runs minimum in a game. He has a very good economy rate; he will come and score whenever required with the bat,” he added.
Since joining CSK, the all-rounder has become an integral part of the setup, helping the Men in Yellow win three IPL titles – 2018, 2021 and 2023 – the last of which he single-handedly won, scoring ten runs off the last two balls.
“He’s [Jadeja] a key member of the family; whenever CSK won, he played a crucial role. Jadeja has done so well in so many games. I won’t give up Jadeja; they don’t have any all-rounders. Which all-rounders do they have? You tell me? Don’t forget, all-rounders are key in T20s, I’m not discounting Samson, but Jadeja is Jadeja,” he added.
While some sections of fans believe that Samson could fill that Dhoni-void, and perhaps even be the face of the franchise going into the future, Srikkanth greatly differed, opining that Urvil Patel is already there for that reason.
“You are developing Samson as the next Dhoni, but for that, you already have Urvil Patel, who’s a wicketkeeper-batter. My opinion is that Jadeja is much better than Samson,” Srikkanth said.
“I won’t agree that it is a fair deal; if CSK let go of Jadeja, they have to go for Cameron Green. He’s not a great all-rounder, he’s not a deadly bowler, he is a batter who can bowl. If you look at the overall package, you won’t get it in Indian cricket.”
Srikkanth also backed Jadeja’s abilities with the bat, stating that it was the franchise that didn’t really utilise his batting abilities to the fullest.
“In key moments, Jadeja raises his game; he hasn’t batted a lot in the last two overs. The crowd has been waiting for him to get out so that Dhoni can come out to bat. He has a strike rate of 130 in 2025; he has come out to bat lower down the order, so you can’t really judge his batting.
“Even Sanju Samson’s record in IPL 2025 is nothing great. It isn’t great that he just got starts in most matches when he’s batting top of the order. How many big scores did he make coming as an opener? Only one, a 60-odd. Anyone can just give starts, even Urvil Patel has been giving starts,” he concluded.
The player retention list for all 10 franchises is set to be out on November 15.
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