3 reasons why CSK trading out Ravindra Jadeja ahead of IPL 2026 Auction would be the right move

Five-time champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are reportedly likely to trade their veteran all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja ahead of the IPL 2026 auction. As per a Cricbuzz report, they are in talks with the Rajasthan Royals (RR) to trade Jadeja for wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson.

Ravindra Jadeja was retained by CSK for a massive sum of ₹18 crore ahead of the 2025 season. The all-rounder has been part of the franchise since 2012. He has played multiple seasons for them and even won the title with CSK thrice in 2018, 2021, and 2023.

Jadeja was featured in 186 games for CSK over the years. He has piled on 2198 runs and picked up 143 wickets. While he offers balance as an all-rounder and brings experience, they could benefit from letting him go.

That said, here are three reasons why the Chennai-based franchise trading Ravindra Jadeja out ahead of IPL 2026 would be the right move.

#3 Dip in performance and effectiveness

In IPL 2025, Ravindra Jadeja's performance dipped massively with the ball. He managed to pick up just 10 wickets from 14 games at an average of 32.40 and an economy rate of 8.56. While he did score 301 runs, they came at a mediocre strike-rate of 135.58.

His performance is no longer the same as it used to be in the past. Moreover, Jadeja does not bowl in the powerplay overs as well. While he bowls in the middle, he has not proved to be as effective. In fact, he bagged just eight wickets in the 2024 season.

Therefore, CSK could look to replace Ravindra Jadeja with a bowler who can bowl across all phases of the innings.

#2 Pairing Ravindra Jadeja and MS Dhoni at the death is no longer sustainable

A major factor behind CSK's failure last season was issues with their batting. They finished at the very bottom of the table. The team struggled in the middle and lower order as far as the batting was concerned.

Ravindra Jadeja, along with MS Dhoni at the bottom, once a feared pair, were not at their effective best in the phase. While Jadeja's runs came at a strike-rate of 135.58, Dhoni scored just 196 runs at a strike-rate of 135.17.

CSK particularly struggled against spin in the death over batting last season. Therefore, teams could go spin-heavy and keep things tight with the likes of Dhoni and Jadeja at the backend. Pairing the two at the bottom does not seem to be a sustainable option for the side.

#1 Uncertainty with Jadeja's role and improving the team structure

There was uncertainty with Ravindra Jadeja's role in CSK last season. At times, he was also promoted to bat up the order. However, the move did not work well for them. He was used as a bowler to get through overs or for match-ups, rather than being a go-to wicket-taking option.

With the likes of Shivam Dube and Dewald Brevis present, who can score at a quicker pace, Jadeja's batting may not be as useful down the order. With uncertainty regarding his role, his presence appears to be more of a luxury than a necessity for CSK.

Trading him out could help the team improve the overall structure and balance with better options taking his slot.

Edited by Rishab Vm