IPL 2026: CSK–RR swap stalls over overseas quota; Jadeja-for-Samson on hold as Sam Curran complicates deal – sportingnews.com

Mayank Bande
The high-profile player trade deal between the Rajasthan Royals (RR) and the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) appears to be imminent, with all the parties reportedly on the same page.
Long-time servants of the respective teams, Sanju Samson and Ravindra Jadeja will end their association with the franchises and look for a new adventure in Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026.
After a lot of deliberation about the terms in the trade, both teams have reportedly agreed on including Sam Curran in the deal after the five-time champions did not budge on Dewald Brevis and Matheesha Pathirana.
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While all parties have agreed to the terms of the swap, the teams face another challenge, with the deal put on hold due to a technicality.
As reported by Cricbuzz, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is yet to receive a formal request of approval after the negotiations between the teams.
The franchises have initiated the process with the Expression of Interest (EOI), but with Curran’s inclusion, the Royals find themselves in a precarious position as their overseas player quota of 8 players is full.
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Additionally, RR’s current purse (30 Lakh) is also not enough if they want to get the services of Curran, who was bought by CSK for 2.4 crore.
Hence, as things stand, the Jaipur-based team will have to vacate an overseas slot and generate funds for the deal to go through.
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The Sri Lankan leggies, Maheesh Theekshana (4.40 crore) and Wanindu Hasaranga (5.25 crore), look the prime candidates on the exit ramp after only one season since they joined the team.
The IPL 2008 champions have hit the upper limit of the number of overseas players allowed, with the following names in the squad:
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Mayank Bande has extensive experience in cricket writing. His work has previously appeared on platforms like OneCricket and Last Word on Sports. Beyond cricket, Mayank closely follows football as an FC Barcelona supporter, along with tennis and Olympic sports. Despite holding a degree in Business Administration, he chose to pursue a career in sports, bringing sharp analysis to his writing as someone who once played cricket.

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