IPL 2026: "Team management took the toughest decision considering the...."- CSK CEO breaks silence on parting ways with Ravindra Jadeja

Ravindra Jadeja was traded to RR from CSK ahead of IPL 2026.

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) CEO Kasi Viswanathan opened up on the reason behind parting ways with Ravindra Jadeja ahead of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. He said that leaving out Jadeja was a very tough decision for them but the decision was taken keeping in mind the transition phase of the team.

In a trade deal with Rajasthan Royals (RR), CSK brought in Sanju Samson and sent Jadeja and Sam Curran to RR. While Samson has joined CSK for Rs. 18 crores, Jadeja has joined RR for Rs. 14 crores. This can be termed as the biggest trade deal ahead of IPL 2026 mini auction, which is scheduled to take place in December.

Both sides were in talks over the Jadeja-Sanju swap deal over the last few weeks and finally made the official announcement on Saturday, November 15. Jadeja was one of the prominent members of the CSK squad, who joined the side for the first time in IPL 2012 and represented them across 12 seasons. The all-rounder won three titles with the franchise since the 2018 edition.

The 36-year-old played 186 matches for the five-time champions over the years, picking 143 wickets and scoring 2198 runs. In the 2022 edition, he had a brief stint as CSK captain, which was regarded as a failed move. Over the years, he has been one of the most influential all-rounders in IPL.

Toughest decision CSK had to take: CEO Kasi Viswanathan on parting ways with Ravindra Jadeja

Speaking in a video posted on social media, CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan revealed that management needed an Indian top-order batter, and since not many will be available at the auction, they targeted to bring in Sanju Samson in the trade window. In return, they had to give up a big player and that’s where they decided to move on from Jadeja, who is in his fag end of white-ball career. Notably, Jadeja has already retired from T20I internationals and is only active in tests and ODIs for India.

“The team management felt the need for a top-order Indian batsman. And since not many Indian batsmen are going to be available at the auction, we thought that the best way to get an Indian top-order batsman would be to go through the trade window,” he said.

“And hence, we have to take this call, and 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 as a team management. Considering the transition of CSK at this point of time, the team management took the toughest decision,” he added.

Viswanathan also added that they communicated with Jadeja ahead of the trade and it was a mutual decision.

“It is a must that we should consult the players concerned, and it was after mutual agreement that we undertook this. When I spoke to Jadeja, he was also very clear that if there is an opportunity for him, because he’s also felt that he’s in the fag end of his career in white ball. So, he also felt that he can have a break,” the CSK CEO further added.

Notably, Jadeja played for the Royals in his first two seasons in 2008 and 2009, and was part of the Shane Warne-led side that won the inaugural edition of the IPL in 2008. Samson, who captained RR since IPL 2021, wished to be released ahead of IPL 2026, seeking a fresh journey in the tournament.

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