In one of the most dramatic and emotionally loaded transfer moments in IPL history, Ravindra Jadeja is officially back where it all began. Rajasthan Royals—the franchise that first spotted a young Jadeja during the 2008 inaugural season—have brought him home after 17 long years, triggering a full-circle moment that has sent waves across Indian cricket. Bought for just ₹12 lakhs in 2008Jadeja now returns as one of the IPL’s biggest icons, valued at ₹14 crore in the 2025–26 mega trade window.

But Jadeja’s return is only one part of what is being called the biggest multi-player trade in IPL historyinvolving three major superstars—Sanju Samson, Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran—between Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings.

A historic three-way trade that changes two franchises forever

According to the official IPL media advisory, here’s how the blockbuster deal was finalised:

• Sanju Samson moves to Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at his existing fee of ₹18 crore. The wicketkeeper-batter ends an 11-year association with the Royals, including four seasons as captain.
• Ravindra Jadeja moves to Rajasthan Royals (RR)his league fee revised from ₹18 crore to ₹14 croremarking his emotional comeback to Jaipur.
• Sam Curran moves to RR from CSK at his existing fee of ₹2.4 croregiving the Royals a world-class left-arm seam-bowling all-rounder to pair with Jadeja.

Samson had expressed interest in a change after IPL 2025, triggering discussions that eventually resulted in the three-player swap—one that reshapes both squads entirely. For CSK, Samson fills a long-term leadership and batting gap. For RR, Jadeja and Curran bring unmatched depth to their all-rounder core.

All official trades ahead of the IPL 2026 retention deadline

Alongside the Jadeja–Samson–Curran mega trade, several franchises executed significant moves:

• Mohd Shami traded from SRH to LSG at his existing ₹10 crore fee.
• Mayank Markande returns to Mumbai Indians via a trade from KKR for ₹30 lakh.
• Arjun Tendulkar moves from MI to LSG at his existing fee of ₹30 lakh.
• Nitish Rana traded from RR to Delhi Capitals (DC) at his existing fee of ₹4.2 crore.
• Donovan Ferreira returns to RR from DCwith his fee revised to ₹1 crore from ₹75 lakh.

With these changes, Rajasthan Royals emerge as the most active franchise in the pre-auction window—bringing back Jadeja, adding Sam Curran, reclaiming Donovan Ferreira, and letting go of Sanju Samson and Nitish Rana as they restructure for a fresh leadership era.

A reunion 17 years in the making

For Jadeja, this isn’t just another trade—it’s a journey back to where his IPL story began. From a quiet youngster in the Shane Warne era to one of the league’s most decorated all-rounders, his return to RR is poetic.

Rajasthan Royals posted his first jersey reveal in the 2026 colours, sparking an emotional response from fans who still remember the 19-year-old Jadeja stepping onto the stage in 2008.

Seventeen years later, the story comes full circle. And this time, Jadeja arrives not as a rookie—but as one of the greatest match-winners the IPL has ever seen.