New Delhi: The much-talked-about trade deal between Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) involving star players Ravindra Jadeja, Sanju Samson, and Sam Curran has hit an unexpected roadblock ahead of the IPL 2026 auction.
According to a Cricbuzz report on Tuesday night, the transaction has been delayed due to Rajasthan Royals’ overseas player limit. IPL regulations allow a franchise to have a maximum of eight foreign players in their squad, and RR has already filled that quota.
This rule prevents them from signing England all-rounder Sam Curran from CSK unless they first release at least one overseas player currently on their roster.
Foreign Quota and Purse Constraints Behind the Delay
“The delay is due to a procedural complication because of the inclusion of a third player in the deal. The third player happens to be an overseas cricketer, and the Royals’ overseas quota is already full,” Cricbuzz quoted a source as saying.
Adding to the complexity, RR’s player purse balance stands at only ₹30 lakh, while Curran’s auction value is ₹2.4 crore, making it financially challenging for them to accommodate the English all-rounder without a prior release.
Possible Player Exits: Hasaranga or Theekshana Could Make Way
To make room for Curran, Rajasthan Royals are reportedly considering releasing either Wanindu Hasaranga or Maheesh Theekshana, who were signed for ₹5.25 crore and ₹4.40 crore respectively.
RR currently have Shimron Hetmyer, Jofra Archer, Hasaranga, Theekshana, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Kwena Maphaka, Nandre Burger, and Lhuan-dre Pretorius (as an injury replacement) in their overseas list.
Jadeja–Samson Swap Likely to Go Through
The one-on-one swap between Ravindra Jadeja and Sanju Samson, however, is not facing any regulatory issue. Both players are Indian, and both were retained for ₹18 crore each by their respective franchises—Jadeja by CSK and Samson by RR—before the IPL 2025 season.
Although the overall deal is yet to be finalized, insiders suggest that the chances of it collapsing are minimal.
“Possible but unlikely,” a source told Cricbuzz. “I cannot guarantee it will not be stalled. But having come this far, the likelihood of one of them backing out is less.”
What Happens Next?
Unless Rajasthan Royals manage to free up an overseas slot and additional funds, the completion of the Jadeja–Samson–Curran trade could remain on hold. However, given the advanced stage of negotiations, most reports suggest that both franchises remain committed to closing the deal before the IPL 2026 player retention deadline.
