Star Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja has moved from his long-term franchise, the Chennai Super Kings, to the Rajasthan Royals in a high-profile trade ahead of the IPL 2026 auction. The deal saw RR skipper Sanju Samson move in the opposite direction to CSK.
In his first reaction since returning to the franchise where he began his IPL journey in 2008, Jadeja expressed his delight.
“Rajasthan Royals gave me my first platform and my first taste of victory,” said Jadeja in an official statement. “Coming back feels special; it’s not just a team for me, it’s home. Rajasthan Royals is where I won my first IPL, and I hope to win more with this current group of players.”
Jadeja was part of the Rajasthan Royals’ inaugural IPL-winning squad in 2008 and remained with them for the following season. After a stint with Kochi Tuskers Kerala in 2011, he joined CSK for the first time in 2012. He played for the Gujarat Lions in 2016 and 2017 before returning to CSK in 2018.
The IPL confirmed the Jadeja-Samson trade on Saturday.
Aaj rumour nahi, headline likhna. Ravindra 𝑻𝒉𝒂𝒍𝒂𝒑𝒂𝒕𝒉𝒚 Jadeja is coming home ⚔️🔥 pic.twitter.com/XJT5b5plCy
— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) November 15, 2025
“Jadeja, who played for CSK for 12 seasons, is among the most experienced players in the league, having played over 250 games. As part of the trade agreement, his league fee has been revised from INR 18 crore to INR 14 crore,” an IPL statement read.
CSK Managing Director Kasi Viswanathan explained the management’s difficult decision to part ways with the all-rounder.
“This decision has been taken by the team management, and it is a very tough decision, leaving out Jaddu, who has been responsible for the success of CSK over the years. It was probably one of the toughest decisions CSK had to take,” said Viswanathan in a video posted on the franchise’s official social media channels.
“Considering the transition of CSK at this point in time, the team management took the toughest decision. It is a must that we should consult the players concerned, and it was after mutual agreement that we undertook this,” he added.
