Ever since Sanju Samson was traded to the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), speculation had been rife about whether the former Rajasthan Royals captain would take over the leadership of the five-time champions. However, putting all rumours to rest, CSK have confirmed that Ruturaj Gaikwad will continue as the franchise’s captain. Gaikwad led CSK for two seasons, although he was ruled out midway through the 2025 IPL season, prompting MS Dhoni to step in as interim captain.
The Samson trade itself stands as one of the biggest in IPL history. The star wicketkeeper-batter, who had been synonymous with Rajasthan Royals (RR) for more than a decade, was traded to CSK in exchange for franchise legend Ravindra Jadeja and England all-rounder Sam Curran. RR will receive Jadeja and Curran, while Samson joins CSK at his existing price of ₹18 crore. Jadeja’s fee has been revised from ₹18 crore to ₹14 crore, while Curran moves at his unchanged tag of ₹2.4 crore.
LEAD THE WAY, CAPTAIN RUTURAJ GAIKWAD!💪🦁#WhistlePodu pic.twitter.com/EawvX5k2yI
— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) November 15, 2025
Samson: End of an Era at Rajasthan Royals
Sanju Samson has been the face of the Royals for 11 seasons, having joined them in 2013 as a teenager. Retained ahead of the 2014 season at just 19, he returned to RR in 2018 after the team’s two-year suspension and took over the captaincy in 2021. Under Samson and team director Kumar Sangakkara, RR reached the 2022 IPL final, their first since the title win in 2008.
Across his captaincy stint, Samson led RR in 67 matches, winning and losing 33 each. His best season came in 2024, when he scored 531 runs at an average of 48.27 and a strike rate of 153.47, including five fifties. Retained for ₹18 crore ahead of IPL 2025, his campaign was cut short by a side injury, causing him to miss the second half—during which RR’s form spiralled, eventually finishing ninth.
In the 2025 season, Samson scored 285 runs in nine innings, averaging over 35 with a strike rate above 140. Overall, he leaves RR as their top run-getter across IPL and the Champions League T20 with 4,219 runs in 155 matches, averaging 31.96 with a strike rate above 140, two centuries and 26 fifties. He also represented the Delhi Capitals during 2016 and 2017.
Ravindra Jadeja: A CSK Stalwart Moves On
Ravindra Jadeja’s departure from CSK marks the end of one of the franchise’s most iconic player journeys. Jadeja represented RR in 2008 and 2009, but his legendary status was carved at CSK, where he played from 2012 to 2025, apart from stints with Kochi Tuskers Kerala (2011) and Gujarat Lions (2016–17) during CSK’s suspension.
Jadeja leaves as CSK’s leading wicket-taker in IPL history with 143 wickets in 186 matches, averaging 28.32, with best figures of 5/16. He is also CSK’s highest run-scorer among all-rounders, accumulating 2,198 runs at an average of 28.54 and a strike rate above 136.
His most iconic moment came in the 2023 IPL final, when his last-over heroics sealed the trophy against Gujarat Titans. He was retained for ₹18 crore ahead of the 2025 mega-auction and enjoyed strong seasons in 2023 and 2025, including a 20-wicket haul in 2023 and 301 runs in 2025.
The all-rounder has played 254 IPL matches, the fifth-most in the tournament’s history, and won three titles with CSK (2018, 2021, 2023).
Sam Curran: A Fresh Start at Rajasthan Royals
The 27-year-old Sam Curran moves to RR as his third IPL franchise, having earlier played for Punjab Kings (2019, 2023, 2024) and CSK (2020-21, 2025). In 2025 for CSK, Curran scored 114 runs in five innings at an average of 22.80, with a top score of 88, and also claimed a wicket.
Across his IPL career, Curran has scored 997 runs in 64 matches, averaging 24.92, with six fifties, alongside 59 wickets at an average of 34.45.
Leadership Clarity for CSK
With speculation settled, CSK will head into the next season with Ruturaj Gaikwad firmly at the helm, while Sanju Samson steps into a fresh chapter in Yellow. The move marks a major reshaping of both franchises and sets the stage for a highly anticipated IPL 2026 season.