IPL 2026 CSK Retained Players: Sanju Samson in, Ravindra Jadeja out! Full list of Chennai Supers Kings retained, released players

In one of the most significant trade deals in IPL history ahead of the upcoming 2026 season, the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have bought veteran Indian wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson from the Rajasthan Royals (RR). In exchange, the Royals have acquired two high-profile players from the Men in Yellow CSK legend Ravindra Jadeja and England all-rounder Sam Curran.TATA IPL 2026 Retentions List of Players: Chennai Super Kings (CSK) Retained Players List Ruturaj GaikwadAyush MhatreDewald BrevisMS DhoniUrvil PatelSanju Samson (traded from RR)Shivam DubeJamie OvertonRamakrishna GhoshNoor AhmadKhaleel AhmadAnshul KambojGurjanpreet SinghNathan EllisShreyas GopalMukesh ChoudharyTATA IPL 2026 Retentions List of Players: Chennai Super Kings (CSK) Released Players ListRavindra Jadeja (traded to RR)Matheesha Pathirana (released)Devon Conway (released)Rachin Ravindra (released)Sam Curran (traded to RR)Rahul Tripathi (released)Vansh Bedi (released)C Andre Siddarth (released)Deepak Hooda (released)Vijay Shankar (released)Sahil Rasheed (released)Kamlesh Nagarkoti (released)TATA IPL 2026 Retentions List of Players: CSK's remaining amount in purseCSK has Rs 43.4 crore left in its purse to spend at the upcoming IPL 2026 mega auction. They have 9 slots remaining to fill in the upcoming IPL season.CSK MD Kasi Viswanathan on letting go Ravindra Jadeja, Sam Curran and acquiring Sanju SamsonCSK Managing Director Kasi Viswanathan addressed the monumental decision to part with a franchise icon, calling it "one of the toughest" the team has ever faced.“Chennai Super Kings, as you know, have traded Jadeja and Sam Curran for Sanju Samson from Rajasthan Royals. As a franchise, you might know that over the years, we have not used the path of trading, except for one year when we got Robin Uthappa. 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 the best way to get an Indian top-order batter is to go through the trade window," the CSK MD said.“It is a must that we should consult with the players concerned. And it was after mutual agreement that we under took this. When I spoke to Jadeja, he was also very clear that if there is an opportunity for him because he is also, he also felt that he was at the fag end of his career in white ball. So he also felt that he can have a break," Kasi said in a video shared by the CSK.“Sam Curran was with us in 2020, 2021 and 2025. He has been a Consistent performer for us. As I said earlier, leaving out Sam as well as Jaddu was one of the toughest calls. We have certain players who are at the fag end of their career. And it is very important for CSK to build a team in the next couple of years. And since this is a mini auction, we don't have the opportunity to get the best of the Indian batsmen.“Sanju has been one of the most experienced IPL batsmen, having scored more than 4,500 runs. And he has also been leading Rajasthan Royals. He has the experience and he is only around 30 years. So, we thought that he will be a good addition for CSK to take care of the future. Emotionally, the fans will be very very upset because I have already got a lot of messages from the fans. But taking into account the current status of the team composition, nothing tank of the CSK cricket management felt the need for a change. And I am sure that in the years to come, CSK will maintain the same kind of consistency and also perform well,” he added.Sanju Samson CKS Trade: Reveals reason behind wanting to join CSKSanju Samson, who has been traded to CSK from RR ahead of the IPL 2026 auction, shared a heartfelt note for his former franchise after ending a 10-year stint with the Jaipur-based side.“We are only here for a short period of time. Gave my everything to this franchise, enjoyed some great cricket, made some lifetime relations, treated everyone in the franchise as my family.. And when it's time..I am moving on.. Shall always be grateful for everything @rajasthanroyals,” Samson wrote in an Instagram post.IPL 2026 CSK Retained, Released Players List Retained: Ruturaj Gaikwad (c), Ayush Mhatre, Dewald Brevis, MS Dhoni, Urvil Patel, Shivam Dube, Jamie Overton, Ramakrishna Ghosh, Noor Ahmad, Khaleel Ahmad, Anshul Kamboj, Gurjanpreet Singh, Nathan Ellis, Shreyas Gopal, Mukesh ChoudharyReleased: Rahul Tripathi, Vansh Bedi, Andre Siddharth, Rachin Ravindra, Devon Conway, Deepak Hooda, Vijay Shankar, Shaik Rasheed, Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Matheesha PathiranaTraded In: Sanju Samson (from RR)Traded out: Sam Curran, Ravindra Jadeja