Overview:
Sanju Samson has been traded to the five-time champions Chennai Super Kings, with Rajasthan Royals receiving Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran in return. Jadeja, who was valued at Rs 18 crore at CSK, joined the Royals after accepting a reduced fee of Rs 14.20 crore.
Former India batter Robin Uthappa believes Yashasvi Jaiswal may have to bide his time before taking on the captaincy role at Rajasthan Royals. The IPL’s inaugural champions strengthened their core by bringing in Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran ahead of the mini-auction, while also adding versatile options in Abu Dhabi. Despite those moves, uncertainty remains over who will lead the side in the 2026 season.
The 2025 IPL saw Riyan Parag take charge in Rajasthan Royals whenever Sanju Samson was unavailable, a stretch that reportedly triggered murmurs of dissatisfaction among a few of the side’s emerging talents.
Sanju Samson has been traded to the five-time champions Chennai Super Kings, with Rajasthan Royals receiving Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran in return. Jadeja, who was valued at Rs 18 crore at CSK, joined the Royals after accepting a reduced fee of Rs 14.20 crore.
The situation has sparked talk that Ravindra Jadeja could be eyeing the leadership role, although there has been no confirmation from Rajasthan Royals. Jadeja’s most recent stint as an IPL captain came in 2022 with Chennai Super Kings, but the reins were handed back to MS Dhoni midway through the season after his leadership was publicly questioned.
Robin Uthappa feels that Riyan Parag and Ravindra Jadeja currently sit ahead in the captaincy discussion, which could delay Yashasvi Jaiswal’s chances of stepping into the leadership role.
“The biggest asset for Rajasthan Royals is the depth in their pace attack, with close to 10 fast bowlers providing a wide range of options. Add quality spin through Ravi Bishnoi and Ravindra Jadeja, along with support from Shimron Hetmyer and Donovan Ferreira, and batting depth provided by Dhruv Jurel and Riyan Parag, and you’re looking at a very balanced side,” said Robin Uthappa on JioStar’s TATA IPL Auction Review.
“The main area of uncertainty is who leads the side. From what I see, the captaincy race is likely between Riyan Parag and Ravindra Jadeja, with Yashasvi Jaiswal probably having to wait a little longer,” he added.
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