Ravindra Jadeja’s Personal Request Drove Samson–Jadeja Trade, Confirms RR Owner

RR owner Manoj Badale revealed that Ravindra Jadeja personally requested a return to the franchise, which helped trigger the Samson–Jadeja trade.

Rajasthan Royals owner Manoj Badale has revealed that the high-profile trade involving Sanju Samson and Ravindra Jadeja was strongly influenced by Jadeja’s own desire to return to the franchise. Samson moved to Chennai Super Kings on November 15, with Jadeja heading to Jaipur ahead of the IPL 2026 auction. Badale said Jadeja contacted him around mid-October to express his interest in rejoining the team he first represented at the start of his IPL career.

“Actually, Jaddu reached out to me about four weeks ago. So, I guess in the middle of October, to say that he was really excited about the potential to “come home”, as he described it, where he started his IPL career and, in fact, really started his cricket career and his visibility to the whole of India,” Badale said in a video posted on RR’s X account.

You've watched the trades unfold, now listen to our story. 🎥 pic.twitter.com/8UdEVdboB4

— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) November 15, 2025

RR View Jadeja and Curran as Key Additions

Badale added that reconnecting with Jadeja after many years felt significant. He also clarified that the deal was not centred solely on Samson and Jadeja but included Sam Curran as an essential part of the move.

“Over the last few weeks, we’ve had quite a few exchanges and the last time I saw him, he was 21, and it’s been fascinating getting to know him, getting to know the older version of Ravindra Jadeja,” he said.

READ ALSO | Daryl Mitchell In Doubt For ODI Series After Groin Strain

“I want it to be clear, it wasn’t a trade for Jadeja. It was a trade for Jadeja and Sam Curran. So, we mustn’t forget the other component. It was the combination of the two and how the two of them fill, sort of 3 or 4 slots, that we are trying to fill as we move into the next season. So, that’s been exciting,” the RR owner concluded.