Kris Srikkanth opposes Sanju Samson trade to CSK ahead of IPL 2026 auction

Former Indian opener Kris Srikkanth is not in favor of Chennai Super Kings trading all-rounder duo of Sam Curran and Ravindra Jadeja for Sanju Samson with Rajasthan Royals. Srikkanth said CSK already has the services of Urvil Patel and they should think of developing the wicket-keeper bat.

Patel scored 68 runs in three matches of IPL 2025 at an average of 22.67 and a blistering strike rate of 212.50. Meanwhile, as per the reports, the trade between CSK and RR is all but confirmed.

Kris Srikkanth said on his YouTube Channel, “Without Jadeja, who’s your all-rounder in CSK? Having an all-rounder is very important, it’s the key role in the T20 format. I am not discounting Samson, who’s superb. I’ve been reading that Sanju Samson will slowly be developed as the successor to Dhoni. But for that, you’ve Urvil Patel already. He’s also a wicketkeeper batter. “

Srikkanth said it would be difficult for CSK to find a quality all-rounder like Ravindra Jadeja.

“By leaving Jadeja, CSK will have to scout for another all-rounder. Someone like Cameron Green is not a tried and tested material. He’s not a great all-rounder. He’s a batter who can bowl and fill in the four overs. He’s not a deadly bowler. Jadeja can win matches with his batting, bowling or fielding.”

Meanwhile, the 1983 World Cup winner highlighted that Ravindra Jadeja hasn’t got a lot of opportunities to bat for CSK in the last two years.

“Jadeja has also not got great opportunities with the bat the last two years. He would come in with two balls left. Even the crowd used to wait for him to get out so that Dhoni could come in, which was sad. Yes his strike rate wasn’t deadly in the 2025 season. But one has to see where he has batted and the situation of the game then. He doesn’t come at the top of the order. He comes at 6 or 7 predominantly so there’s only 10-12 balls to play at that time,” said Srikkanth (via the aforementioned source).

The former Indian captain said Sanju Samson also didn’t have a great run in IPL 2025 for RR. The Kerala batter scored 285 runs in nine matches at an average of 35.63.

“Even Sanju Samson’s record in IPL 2025 is nothing great. It isn’t great that he just got starts in most matches when he’s batting top of the order. How many big scores did he make coming as an opener? Only one, a 60-odd. Anyone can just give starts, even Urvil Patel has been giving starts. I am not belittling Sanju Samson. This is only Samson in comparison to Jadeja. Samson is a brilliant cricketer.”

IPL 2026 mini-auction is likely to be scheduled on December 15.