Former CSK all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja has shared his first reaction after he joined Rajasthan Royals for IPL 2026. The move comes a surprise for many as Jadeja was a very crucial part of CSK team and the decision has left all the fans divided. The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) were involved in a trade deal where Sanju Samson joined CSK and in the swap CSK gave away Jadeja and Sam Curran.
Rajasthan Royals acquired Ravindra Jadeja for INR 14 crore and in return Super Kings acquired Samson for INR 18 crore. Royals also gained English all-rounder Sam Curran for INR 2.4 crore. As soon as the trade deal was officially announced Ravindra Jadeja also gave his first reaction and mentioned that he was feeling very “special.”
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“Rajasthan Royals gave me my first platform and my first taste of victory,” said Ravindra Jadeja in an official statement.
“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,” he added.
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Jadeja, picked by CSK in the 2012 auction via a secret bid for what was then a record price, had always delivered for the franchise. His legacy includes the unforgettable 2023 final, where he sealed victory with a six and a four off the last two deliveries. The hug he shared with Dhoni thereafter became one of the iconic images of the IPL symbols of “Thala” and “Thalapathy,” a pairing many thought was inseparable. Yet, the split has happened. Sources close to the developments said Dhoni and Jadeja had spoken before the trading process began, with both feeling the move would serve everyone’s long-term interest.
