The ongoing conversations surrounding the transfer of Sanju Samson, Ravindra Jadeja, and Sam Curran between Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) have caused a veteran analyst and also off-spinner, Ravichandran Ashwin to mention two players who are essential for the CSK to monitor: Nitish Rana and Venkatesh Iyer.
Ashwin indicated that if CSK is considering the trade and is surrendering the two players to RR, the team will have a very visible place in the batting order of No. 3 (and middle-order flexibility) which could be occupied by either Rana or Iyer. He stated that the lineup of CSK’s batting could be like this, Samson and Ruturaj Gaikwad to open, then Iyer or Rana at No. 3, Dube and Brevis at 4 and 5, and possibly Cameron Green at 6.
Moreover, Ashwin suggested that CSK should carefully consider the upcoming auction (with the retention deadline of 15 November) as an opportunity to rebuild rather than merely replacing stars. “If Jadeja and Curran have gone, then I can see Rana or Iyer coming in… CSK can really strengthen this side,” he mentioned.
This push comes at a moment when the squad of CSK is extremely unstable. The trade deal has not yet been officially confirmed, and structural difficulties have arisen (over overseas slots, purse limitations for RR, etc), thus CSK has a chance and a risk. If they delay taking action, they might find themselves in IPL 2026 with an inconclusive transition. While Ashwin was talking about the situation, he said that although big names have a great impact, in the new age balance and fit matter even more.
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In summary, while the Samson-Jadeja-Curran trade may unleash a chain of events, CSK’s subsequent major target might very well be either Rana or Iyer, according to Ashwin. The two players are considered as very suitable for the renovations that CSK is planning to get for IPL 2026 in terms of continuity, structure and freshness in the team.
The next few days will be very crucial for the Chennai Super Kings. November 15, the date of trade deadline and retention submission, offers almost no time for second thoughts. The team management has to very quickly come to a decision before the IPL 2026 auction. The scenario of Jadeja and Sam Curran shifting to Rajasthan Royals while Sanju Samson ends up with CSK is likely.
If the trade is confirmed, then the budget of CSK will be greatly increased giving the team the chance to go after high-priced Indian players such as Nitish Rana or Venkatesh Iyer — the two of them being just right for a combination of experience and consistency that CSK is after. On the other hand, the franchise will still have to cope with the loss of two magnificent all-rounders.
Ravichandran Ashwin pointed out that the duo of Sanju Samson and Ruturaj Gaikwad opening the innings together could inject new life into the batting order of CSK, and at the same time, a player such as Rana or Iyer at No. 3 would provide the usual left-hand-right-hand balance the team is used to.
CSK’s response will be a point of great interest in the coming days, either through acquiring an experienced Indian middle-order batter, hunting for another all-rounder during the auction, or making a surprise move. However, one thing that is indeed clear is that the Chennai franchise is gearing up for one of its most significant revamps since the end of the Dhoni era.
Written By:- Manjunath S