New Delhi, Nov 15 (NationPress) The Managing Director of Chennai Super Kings, Kasi Viswanathan, has opened up about the challenging decision to trade key all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja to Rajasthan Royals, describing it as one of the hardest choices faced by the team management. Ahead of the IPL 2026 auction, it was officially confirmed on Saturday that both Jadeja and Sam Curran would be traded to RR, with CSK acquiring Sanju Samson in return.

While rumors had been circulating for about a week, the formal announcement from both franchises left numerous fans disheartened. Jadeja and Samson have been pivotal players for their teams, embodying the spirit of their franchises. Nonetheless, the CSK MD emphasized that the decision was a shared agreement, with both players feeling a transition was necessary.

“Chennai Super Kings has traded Jadeja and Sam Curran for Sanju Samson from Rajasthan Royals. Historically, we haven't pursued trading players much, with the exception of acquiring Robin Uthappa one year. The team management recognized the necessity for a top-order Indian batsman. Given the limited availability of Indian batsmen in the auction, we determined that utilizing the trade window was the most effective method,” he explained.

“Thus, we had to make this decision. It was incredibly tough to part ways with Jaddu, who has significantly contributed to CSK's success over the years. This was arguably one of the hardest calls made by CSK's management, especially considering the team's current transition phase,” he added.

“It's crucial to consult with the players involved. After mutual discussions, we agreed on this course of action. When I spoke with Jadeja, he acknowledged that he was nearing the end of his white-ball career and viewed this as an opportunity for a fresh start,” Kasi remarked in a video released by CSK.

“Sam Curran was part of our team in 2020, 2021, and 2025, delivering consistent performances. As mentioned, letting go of both Sam and Jaddu was an exceptionally tough decision. We have players approaching the end of their careers, and it's vital for CSK to build a strong team for the upcoming years. With this being a mini auction, the chance to acquire the best Indian batsmen is limited,” he continued.

“Sanju is one of the most seasoned IPL batsmen, having scored over 4,500 runs and leading Rajasthan Royals. His experience is invaluable and at just around 30 years old, we believe he will be a significant asset for CSK's future. Emotionally, fans will understandably be upset, as I have received many messages expressing their sentiments. However, given the current team dynamics, CSK's management felt an adjustment was necessary. I am confident that in the upcoming years, CSK will maintain its consistency and perform admirably,” he concluded.

Jadeja, who has been with CSK for 12 seasons and has played in over 250 matches, is one of the league's most seasoned players. Under the trade agreement, his league fee has been adjusted from Rs 18 crore to Rs 14 crore.

On the other hand, Samson will represent CSK at his current league fee of Rs 18 crore. With 177 IPL matches to his name, he is also among the league's most experienced players, having primarily played for RR since his IPL debut in 2013, except for two seasons—2016 and 2017—when he played for Delhi Capitals.