New Delhi: With the IPL 2026 retention list to be released tomorrow, November 15 speculation around Ravindra Jadeja is at an all-time high.
The star all-rounder, long considered a pillar of the Chennai Super Kings, is on the verge of a major move, likely heading to the Rajasthan Royals in a big trade. If the switch happens, it will truly mark the end of an era, as Jadeja has been associated with CSK since 2012, except for the franchise’s two-year suspension.
The last few seasons, however, have been far from smooth. Jadeja was handed over CSK’s captaincy but was later stripped of it, and at one point, parts of the Chennai crowd even cheered his dismissal, hoping to see MS Dhoni walk in. After everything that has happened, Jadeja now seems prepared to close this memorable chapter, something former India head coach Ravi Shastri has all but confirmed.
Harsha Bhogle raised question related to off-field Jadeja-Samson buzz
In Jadeja’s opening over of the India-South Africa Test at Eden Gardens, Harsha Bhogle raised a pertinent question: with so much off-field buzz, has Jadeja been able to concentrate on his game? Shastri quickly dispelled any doubts, asserting that a player of Jadeja’s caliber always knows how to focus on what truly matters.
“The talk is more for people on the outside. They are more interested in where he’s going and how much he is making. I think he knew where he was going from the beginning. He was very clear, and his focus was cricket. Let the noise happen on the outside. Noise always happens in India. You know what you want, you know what’s coming in your back pocket. I’ll give you that, I mean, now. He is far too experienced. He’s a gun cricketer, this fellow. I know, just the way he played in England. Over 500 runs in the series,” Shastri said on commentary.
Jadeja’s switch to RR is expceted to send Samson to CSK
Ravindra Jadeja’s switch to the Rajasthan Royals is expected to send Sanju Samson to Chennai, and CSK have hinted at their plans with a friendly birthday message to the wicketkeeper-batter. Following Mumbai Indians announcement of Shardul Thakur’s return last night, it seems only a matter of time before the Jadeja-Samson trade is formally confirmed.