Ravindra Jadeja remains with Chennai Super Kings as Rajasthan Royals struggle with overseas slots and purse

Ravindra Jadeja’s possible move to Rajasthan Royals is currently paused due to the team having a full overseas lineup and budget constraints.

The interesting part is that Sam Curran is shifting from Chennai Super Kings, which means they need to open up an overseas spot and have enough funds available.

RR might need to let go of Sri Lankan players Wanindu Hasaranga or Maheesh Theekshana to create space, keeping fans on edge for this exciting trade to unfold.

Why the Ravindra Jadeja Deal Is Stalled

The overseas quota problem is the biggest hurdle right now. IPL regulations limit teams to eight foreign players, and RR’s roster is already full. Letting go of a less valuable overseas player won’t cut it because of the budget gap; the salary freed up needs to be more than what Curran is worth.

One possible option being looked at is to offload RR’s spinners from Sri Lanka: Wanindu Hasaranga (kept for INR 5.25 crore) or Maheesh Theekshana (INR 4.40 crore). Either choice would open up the necessary spot and provide some financial flexibility. “The franchise is believed to be considering moving on from their two Lankan spinners,”.

Budget limitations make the issue worse. Even though there’s space to add three more players to hit the 25-player cap, RR can’t move forward without getting their finances in order. Usually, these choices are made after the retention deadline, when teams hand in their lists of retained and released players to the BCCI.

A source close to the situation shared with Cricbuzz that even though the human factor—like a sudden change of mind from a franchise or player—could happen, it’s still a rare chance, “possible but unlikely.” The insider added, “Having come this far, the chances of anyone backing out are low,” emphasizing the advanced stage of talks.

A News18 report from November 12, 2025, shared similar insights, with an anonymous source emphasizing the minimal risk of collapse while pointing out the procedural holdups related to RR’s complete overseas lineup.

Details of the Proposed Ravindra Jadeja, Sanju Samson and Sam Curran Swap

The core of the deal is a direct swap between Jadeja and RR’s captain Sanju Samson, with both Indian players valued at INR 18 crore on their retention lists.

This part is totally in line with IPL rules since it doesn’t affect overseas slots or purse implications for either team.

The main twist and challenge is that English all-rounder Sam Curran is shifting from CSK to RR. Curran was picked up by CSK for INR 18.50 crore during the 2022 mega auction, but he’s now worth INR 2.4 crore for trading. His left-arm swing and middle-order batting will definitely strengthen RR’s pace attack. But, this move also brings up some quota and financial issues for RR.

RR’s lineup currently includes 22 players: 14 from India and eight international stars—Jofra Archer, Shimron Hetmyer, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Kwena Maphaka, Nandre Burger, and Lhuan-dre Pretorius.

Since the overseas limit is set at eight, RR has to let go of at least one foreign player to make room for Curran. Plus, they only have INR 30 lakh left in their auction budget, which is way below Curran’s INR 2.4 crore price tag, so they’ll need to release a high-salary overseas player to gather enough cash.

CSK, on the flip side, adds Samson as a wicketkeeper-batter who could either open with Ayush Badoni or fit in at number three after Ruturaj Gaikwad, filling the holes in their top order and finishing lineup.