With Ravindra Jadeja’s stunning move to Rajasthan Royals, Sanju Samson’s switch to CSK, questions over captaincy, and veteran players are openly pitching for a radical overhaul of the tournament’s structure
Our Bureau
Abu Dhabi
Indian cricket’s most valuable property is entering unfamiliar territory. The frenzy triggered by the Jadeja–Samson–Curran trade — the biggest multi-player swap in IPL history — has been matched only by the debate surrounding captaincy, team balance and the very design of the league itself.
Former India captain and ex-head coach Anil Kumble captured the mood best when he called Jadeja’s move “a big surprise,” signalling the start of a rare shake-up involving two of the league’s most stable franchises.
“Generally, CSK doesn’t let go of their players, especially someone of Jadeja’s quality,” Kumble said on JioStar. “I was surprised they let him go.” His words reflected what many in the cricketing world felt: that Chennai Super Kings, a team built on continuity, had stepped into a new chapter marked by practical rebuilding rather than emotional loyalty.
The trade itself was seismic. Rajasthan Royals sent long-time skipper Sanju Samson to CSK for ₹18 crore. In return, the five-time champions released Ravindra Jadeja (₹14 crore) and England all-rounder Sam Curran (₹2.4 crore) — a blockbuster move that immediately raised strategic questions for both sides.
For Jadeja, the deal is a homecoming of sorts. The all-rounder played 27 IPL matches for RR in the early years, scoring 430 runs and taking six wickets. But unlike last time, his comeback brings leadership chatter. Kumble openly floated the possibility of Jadeja becoming RR captain, even though the franchise has multiple internal candidates.
“Riyan Parag has led them in a couple of matches, Yashasvi Jaiswal has always harbored captaincy dreams, Dhruv Jurel has the temperament, and Sam Curran is an overseas option,” Kumble said. “So Jadeja becomes another interesting possibility.”
That leadership vacuum is central to RR’s biggest headache after moving on from Samson, who led them from 2021 to 2025. Whether they gamble on Jadeja, back Parag’s rising personality, or turn to a young Indian player will shape their strategy for years.
For CSK, the arrival of Samson is part of a calculated overhaul under Ruturaj Gaikwad. The 2025 season exposed gaps in their top order, and CSK’s batting fell apart after Gaikwad’s elbow injury. Kumble believes that clarity is essential now — especially at the top.
“My clear advice is that Ruturaj should open the batting himself,” he said. Gaikwad shifted to No. 3 last season, while Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra opened. After his injury, the role swung between multiple players before 18-year-old Ayush Mhatre emerged with 240 runs in seven games.
Despite having Samson and Mhatre, Kumble thinks Gaikwad opening is non-negotiable. “His leadership and batting at the top will provide the stability they need.”
He also pointed to CSK’s thin bowling unit after releasing Matheesha Pathirana, stressing the need for reinforcements. “Nathan Ellis becomes crucial. They still need an Indian spinner to replace Jadeja and more Indian fast bowlers alongside Khaleel Ahmed.” With ₹43.4 crore in the purse and nine slots available, CSK are expected to be aggressive at the auction.
But even these tactical debates were overshadowed by a larger question thrown into the spotlight by another former India cricketer — Robin Uthappa.
In a sharp critique of the IPL’s model, Uthappa said it was time for the league to scrap its auction system entirely and adopt a year-round trade window and draft system.
“You are the leading cricket league in the world. Mature now,” Uthappa said on his YouTube channel. “Stop with the auctions and keep the trade window open throughout the year. Have a draft and get rid of the auctions. For crying out loud, get rid of the auctions.”
He argued that the current model restricts team building, prevents fan loyalty, and keeps the league stuck in a “start-up mindset” designed for TV drama rather than long-term development.
“They are not going beyond the entertainment mindset,” he said. “Even a draft can be great TV. You’ll get fans engaging and create loyalty. It should be like a six-month league.”
His proposal — extending IPL to half the year — reignited an old debate about cricket calendars, player workloads and commercial appetite. While the BCCI is unlikely to overhaul the IPL immediately, the very fact that such an idea is being seriously floated by a former champion underlines how the league’s expanding scale has created pressure for innovation.
The 2026 mini-auction in Abu Dhabi, scheduled for December 16, now comes with layers of subplots: Jadeja’s return to RR, Samson’s fresh start at CSK, Gaikwad’s captaincy evolution, and the possibility of bigger structural debates dominating the off-season.
