Chennai Super Kings on Friday posted an emotional video across their social media platforms, officially confirming the departure of franchise legend Ravindra Jadeja ahead of the IPL 2026 season. The video — featuring Jadeja’s iconic moments in yellow, his match-winning 2023 final cameo, and his long-standing bond with MS Dhoni — served as a heartfelt farewell to one of the franchise’s greatest ever players.
The announcement comes as part of a blockbuster trade between CSK and Rajasthan Royals, arguably one of the biggest in IPL history. As reported earlier, Jadeja has been traded to the Royals along with all-rounder Sam Curran (valued at ₹2.4 crore), in exchange for Rajasthan captain Sanju Samson, who shares Jadeja’s ₹18 crore league fee.
The Sword that guarded the Yellove kingdom.
There are players
and there are protectors.
He was both.Today, we bow in gratitude.
For the finishes.
For the breakthrough spells.Always our RaJa.
Always our Thalapathy.
Always our Jaddu!#WhistlePodu #ThalapathyForever pic.twitter.com/tzOLpvBqyF— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) November 15, 2025
The emotional tone of CSK’s farewell video reflects the magnitude of the move. Jadeja, who joined the Super Kings through a secret bid in 2012, has been at the heart of Chennai’s success for over a decade. His legacy includes title-winning performances, iconic celebrations, and his unforgettable six-and-four finish in the 2023 final — moments that made him inseparable from the franchise’s identity.
However, despite his stature, there is a growing sense of transition. At 37, Jadeja’s peak T20 years may be behind him. Over the last two seasons, he has picked up 18 wickets at an economy of 8.20, while scoring 568 runs at a strike rate of 139. With the Impact Sub era redefining middle-order roles, his output — though still impactful — has faced comparison with rising explosive hitters. Jadeja has also retired from T20Is and was recently left out of India’s ODI squad for the Australia series, with selectors opting for Axar Patel.
For Rajasthan Royals, the deal has been viewed by many as a coup. Jadeja returns to the franchise that first made him “Rockstar” under Shane Warne in 2008, bringing unmatched experience and all-round stability. “It’s quite shocking that a franchise player who has been a star performer for CSK has been let go so easily,” an IPL CEO told Cricbuzz. “Once MS Dhoni retires, who becomes the face of CSK? After MS, it was always Jadeja.”
From CSK’s perspective, Samson offers long-term value at age 31 and covers a future wicketkeeping requirement once Dhoni eventually steps away. Still, moving on from Jadeja — Dhoni’s closest on-field ally and fan favourite — marks the end of an era in Chennai.
The trade, which earlier faced a technical snag due to a lack of an overseas slot in Rajasthan’s squad, has now been cleared by the BCCI. An official announcement from both franchises is expected on Saturday, November 15.
As CSK’s emotional video suggests, this is more than a player transfer — it is the closing of a chapter that shaped an entire generation of Super Kings cricket.
