The biggest three-player swap in IPL history headlines a dramatic retention deadline as all ten franchises finalize their squads ahead of the December mini-auction.
A Quick Look at What Happened
November 15, 2025, marks the official IPL 2026 retention deadline, with all ten franchises submitting their lists of retained and released players by 5 PM IST. The biggest bombshell: Sanju Samson moves to Chennai Super Kings while Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran head to Rajasthan Royals in the largest three-way trade in IPL history. Unlike previous mega auctions, teams can retain unlimited players this year while staying within the ₹120 crore salary cap and 25-player squad limit. The mini-auction is scheduled for December 16, 2025, in Abu Dhabi.
The Big Takeaways
- Sanju Samson joins CSK for ₹18 crore as Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran (₹2.4 crore) move to Rajasthan Royals
- Mohammed Shami traded to Lucknow Super Giants from Sunrisers Hyderabad for ₹10 crore
- Mumbai Indians acquire Shardul Thakur (₹2 crore) and Sherfane Rutherford (₹2.6 crore)
- No cap on player retentions this year—teams have unlimited flexibility within budget constraints
- Right-to-Match (RTM) cards not available this season—all released players face open bidding
How the Story Unfolded
The cricket world woke up to seismic shifts in IPL rosters today. After weeks of speculation and backroom negotiations, franchises have finally pulled the trigger on trades that seemed unthinkable just months ago.
The headline-grabber? Sanju Samson, who’s been RR’s face for years, is now heading to Chennai Super Kings. In return, the Royals get not just one but two quality players—veteran all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja and England’s Sam Curran. It’s the kind of deal that changes the complexion of both teams completely.
CSK appears to be betting big on Samson’s explosive batting and wicketkeeping skills, especially after a relatively quiet 2025 season. The wicketkeeper-batter brings youth, aggression, and the kind of fearless approach that might just be what CSK needs to shake things up. Meanwhile, RR gets an experienced campaigner in Jadeja—someone who’s won multiple titles with CSK—and the versatile Curran, who can bat, bowl, and field with equal intensity.
Mumbai Indians haven’t been sitting idle either. They’ve quietly executed two smart trades, picking up Shardul Thakur and Sherfane Rutherford at reasonable prices. Both players add depth to MI’s middle order and bowling options without breaking the bank.
The Mohammed Shami move to LSG is another interesting one. The veteran pacer, who was instrumental in Gujarat Titans’ 2022 championship run, now joins a franchise that’s been searching for bowling stability. At ₹10 crore, it’s not cheap, but Shami’s experience and wicket-taking ability could be exactly what LSG needs.
The Larger Picture
This retention cycle is fundamentally different from what we’ve seen before. The last mega auction happened in 2024, which means teams aren’t being forced to dismantle their squads this time around. Instead, they have the freedom to keep as many players as they want—provided they stay within the ₹120 crore purse and 25-player limit.
That flexibility has led to some bold decisions. Teams are holding onto their core while making surgical strikes where needed. It’s more about fine-tuning than rebuilding, though some trades suggest certain franchises are rethinking their entire approach.
The absence of RTM cards this year adds another layer of intrigue. In previous auctions, teams could buy back their released players by matching the highest bid. Not this time. Once a player enters the auction pool, it’s a free-for-all. That’s making franchises think twice before releasing anyone valuable.
The timing couldn’t be more interesting. Just last year’s mega auction saw record-breaking prices—Rishabh Pant went for ₹27 crore to LSG, Shreyas Iyer fetched ₹26.75 crore from Punjab Kings, and KL Rahul was picked up by Delhi Capitals for ₹14 crore. Now, barely a year later, some of these same players are reportedly on the chopping block or being shopped around.
What People Are Saying
The CSK-RR trade has cricket Twitter in an absolute frenzy. Fans are split down the middle—some think CSK got the better deal by landing Samson at his peak years, while others argue that RR walked away with more value by getting two quality players instead of one.
A CEO from another IPL franchise, speaking to Cricbuzz, called it “shocking” that CSK let go of Jadeja so easily. The all-rounder has been synonymous with Chennai Super Kings for over a decade, even captaining the side briefly. His departure marks the end of an era.
Devon Conway, who’s reportedly being released by CSK, took to X (formerly Twitter) to thank the fans. “Thank you to all loyal fans of CSK for amazing 3 years support,” he wrote, confirming what many suspected about his exit.
The Kolkata Knight Riders are reportedly planning to release seven players, including Moeen Ali, Venkatesh Iyer, Quinton de Kock, and Anrich Nortje. That’s a massive overhaul for the franchise, suggesting they’re not satisfied with last season’s performance despite having a strong core.
Glenn Maxwell’s potential release from Punjab Kings has also raised eyebrows. PBKS might be looking to re-sign him at a lower price during the auction, banking on the fact that his stock has dropped slightly after a quieter season.
League officials remain tight-lipped, but the official IPL Twitter account teased fans this morning with: “The wait is almost over! ⏳ Retention Announcement coming your way later today 🥳”
So, Why Should You Care?
If you’re a cricket fan, today’s announcements will shape the league for the next few years. The players retained today become the foundation on which championship dreams are built. The ones released? They’ll be looking to prove franchises wrong by putting up big performances for new teams.
For CSK supporters, seeing Jadeja leave is emotional. He’s been there through thick and thin, delivering crucial performances in finals and everyday matches alike. Bringing in Samson signals a new direction—younger, more aggressive, less reliant on the old guard.
RR fans, on the other hand, might be conflicted. Losing Samson, their captain and star batsman, stings. But getting Jadeja—a proven match-winner—and Curran—a T20 specialist—could actually make them more balanced. Sometimes addition by subtraction works in cricket.
The unlimited retention rule also means we won’t see the wholesale changes that mega auctions typically bring. Teams are keeping their best players, which is good news for continuity and team chemistry. But it also means fewer big-name players available in the auction, potentially driving up prices for whoever does enter the pool.
The December 16 mini-auction in Abu Dhabi will be crucial. With only specific slots to fill, teams will be extremely strategic about their bids. Don’t expect the auction to go on for days—it’ll be quick, focused, and probably feature some surprise picks.
The Story, in Order
| Date | What Happened |
|---|---|
| Nov 2024 | BCCI announces November 15 as retention deadline for IPL 2026 |
| Early Nov 2025 | Trade rumors intensify; Samson-CSK link emerges |
| Nov 14, 2025 | Multiple trades confirmed, including Samson-Jadeja swap |
| Nov 15, 2025 | Official retention deadline; all teams submit final lists by 5 PM IST |
| Dec 16, 2025 | IPL 2026 mini-auction scheduled in Abu Dhabi |
More Stories You May Want to See
Curious about who else might be changing jerseys? We’ve got detailed breakdowns of each team’s retention strategy and the players most likely to create bidding wars in December.
Also check out our analysis of how the new unlimited retention rule is changing IPL squad dynamics, and why some franchises are going big while others are playing it safe.
Where This Information Comes From
This article draws from:
- Official IPL and BCCI announcements on retention deadlines
- Zee News and India.com live coverage of retention day
- Cricbuzz reports on confirmed trades and franchise strategies
- ESPN Cricinfo’s detailed retention tracking
- Verified social media posts from players and franchises
- Business Standard’s analysis of auction rules and purse management
All trade details, player fees, and dates have been cross-verified across multiple credible cricket news sources.
About the Writer
Written by the 360news.blog cricket desk, covering IPL updates, player movements, and tournament analysis for fans across India.
Note: The official retention lists will be announced at 5 PM IST today (November 15, 2025) live on Star Sports and JioStar. This article will be updated as more information becomes available.
