Indian Premier League franchises have until November 15 to submit their final lists of retained and released players before the IPL 2026 mini-auction. Recent speculation surrounded potential trades involving KL Rahul and Sanju Samson. While Rahul is expected to stay with Delhi Capitals, Samson has reportedly expressed his desire for a new challenge after spending 11 seasons with Rajasthan Royals across two stints. Chennai Super Kings are rumoured as his possible destination, with Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran potentially moving to the Royals in exchange. Player trades have been a recurring feature in IPL history, allowing teams to reshape their squads strategically. Over the years, numerous high-profile swaps have taken place, involving star players and significant financial deals. These transactions reflect the dynamic nature of franchise cricket, where teams constantly evaluate their rosters to build competitive units for upcoming seasons.
Notable Player Swaps and Trades Over the Years
The IPL has witnessed several significant player trades since its inception. Early examples include Zaheer Khan moving from Royal Challengers Bangalore to Mumbai Indians in exchange for Robin Uthappa in 2009. Over time, trades became more financially substantial. In 2022, Lockie Ferguson and Shardul Thakur were traded for Rs 10 crore and Rs 10.75 crore respectively. The most expensive trade occurred in 2024 when Cameron Green moved from Mumbai Indians to Royal Challengers Bangalore for Rs 17.5 crore. Other notable swaps involved Hardik Pandya returning to Mumbai Indians for Rs 15 crore and Shikhar Dhawan joining Delhi Capitals in a multi-player deal worth Rs 5.2 crore in 2019. These transactions demonstrate how franchises strategically rebuild their squads.
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