RCB, CSK, MI, KKR, SRH, DC, GT, PBKS, RR, LSG Retained and Released Players List for IPL 2026
Former CSK batter Cheteshwar Pujara recently reflected on how CSK is set to benefit from roping in Sanju Samson."With this trade, CSK is benefiting in two ways. One, their top order, that didn't perform that well in the last IPL. If Sanju comes in the top order, they get stability there," he said on Star Sports."Secondly, they are thinking about the future. We don't know when Mahi bhai (Dhoni) will leave, but the long-term wicketkeeper-batter they need after Mahi bhai, they are seeing that in Sanju Samson," Pujara observed.With fitness issues plaguing his development, incoming reports are stating that Matheesha Pathirana is on his way out from the Chennai Super Kings as the franchise has made an eleventh-hour decision to release the Lankan slinger into the auction pool.“Rajasthan Royals gave me my first platform and my first taste of victory,” said Ravindra Jadeja “Coming back feels special - it’s not just a team for me, it’s home. Rajasthan Royals is where I won my first IPL, and I hope to win more with this current group of players.”Riyan Parag pens an emotional goodbye to Sanju Samson: "One of my first friends at RR, in many ways my mentor, my captain who changed the way we play cricket, and in so many more ways my go-to person for all things cricket and good times; you will forever be a Royal for me and the team and the fans."I'm glad I could begin my IPL journey with you. Field pe opposite teams hogi ab but off-field I know you'll be my same ol' Sanju Chettan," Parag writes on Instagram.In 2013, MS Dhoni piped up on his twitter: “God realised RAJNI sir is getting old so he created sir ravindra jadeja”. Nine years later, as a logical extension to that wisecrack, since he himself is getting old, he has handed the baton to Ravindra Jadeja.What was he a decade ago? The fastest arm in town, a gun fielder. Apart from that? Remarks about his spin were more flippant than genuine. Comments about his batting were even more critical. Shane Warne’s ‘Rockstar’ was seen more as a comment on his own captaincy, how he encourages young players, rather than Jadeja’s talent. The Sir moniker, which he incidentally doesn’t like, wasn’t a taunt and had shades of admiration allright, but it wasn’t a serious appreciation. But the meme-loving generation had sensed a spark in the man with that jesty-tribute. Read this piece from Sriram Veera from the archives - How Ravindra Jadeja progressed from being Shane Warne’s ‘Rockstar’ at RR to Dhoni’s successorCSK CEO Kasi Viswanath on the decision to trade Jadeja and Curran: "A transition in a team's journey is never easy. Trading out a player like Ravindra Jadeja, who has been an integral part of the franchise for more than a decade, and Sam Curran was one of the toughest decisions we have taken in the team's history. "The decision was taken with mutual understanding with both Jadeja and Curran. We are deeply grateful for Jadeja's extraordinary contributions and the legacy he leaves behind. We wish both Jadeja and Curran the best for the future.“We are only here for a short period of tim.”"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," write Sanju Samson in an emotional Instagram post.From a wiry teenager with silken smooth wrists to a mature leader and a man for all, an evolved Sanju bids farewell to the Rajasthan Royals.The IPL organising committee may have spoilt a bit of the fun and wait for the evening's IPL retentions deadline by finally confirming the huge trade rumour that has been floating on for months. Sanju Samson will indeed wear the yellow next season as five-time champions Chennai Super Kings marked their biggest-ever trade deal in 17 years since the inception of the league.In return, they had to let go of an invaluable but ageing asset - Ravindra Jadeja - a move that has been seen with both optimism and scepticism by hardcore fans.
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