The trade discussions around Sanju Samson ahead of the IPL 2026 auction involved more teams than initially believed. While Delhi Capitals and Chennai Super Kings were known contenders, Punjab Kings also submitted a trade proposal to Rajasthan Royals for the wicketkeeper-batter. Former spinner Ravichandran Ashwin disclosed this development, explaining that Rajasthan's requirements were clear: a finisher and a bowler in return. Australian all-rounder Marcus Stoinis was reportedly part of Punjab's offer, fitting the finisher role perfectly. However, the deal collapsed as Punjab lacked the necessary assets to satisfy Rajasthan's demands. Besides Shreyas Iyer and Arshdeep Singh, Punjab did not possess players of comparable trade value. Meanwhile, Chennai appears better positioned to complete the swap, with Ravindra Jadeja potentially moving to Rajasthan alongside either Sam Curran or Matheesha Pathirana to balance the exchange.
Punjab's Offer and Why the Trade Failed
Ravichandran Ashwin revealed that Punjab Kings approached Rajasthan Royals with a trade package for Sanju Samson. Rajasthan wanted a finisher-bowler combination in return. Marcus Stoinis was among the names discussed, fitting the finisher requirement with his dual batting and bowling abilities. The identity of the bowler remains unclear, though speculation points to Harpreet Brar, Vijaykumar Vyshak, or uncapped options. Ultimately, Punjab could not meet Rajasthan's expectations. Apart from Shreyas Iyer and Arshdeep Singh, the franchise lacked players with sufficient trade value to balance a deal for Samson. This mismatch ended negotiations, leaving Chennai Super Kings as the frontrunner. Chennai reportedly plans to offer Ravindra Jadeja and possibly Sam Curran or Matheesha Pathirana, with valuations closely matching Samson's INR 18 crore price tag.
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