Rajasthan Royals likely to hand Ravindra Jadeja the captaincy for IPL 2026 | Cricket News
Jaipur: Seventeen years after his IPL debut in Rajasthan Royals’ inaugural title-winning season, Ravindra Jadeja is back where it all began. The Saurashtra allrounder, traded from Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in exchange for long-time Royals captain Sanju Samson, completes a homecoming that began under Shane Warne’s mentorship in 2008. A controversial ban in 2010 after attempting to negotiate a contract outside the auction saw him depart. Now, the trade, finalised after months of negotiations, ends speculation around Samson’s future.Also Watch:
The wicketkeeper-batsman, who led Royals to the 2024 final and playoffs in 2023, had expressed a desire for a fresh start despite being retained at a hefty sum. His 11-year association with the franchise concludes as he heads to CSK. For Royals, Jadeja fills a critical void. His ability to anchor the middle order, bowl tight spells and reduce reliance on overseas players gives the team newfound balance and tactical flexibility. Sources close to the franchise confirm that Jadeja is a strong contender for captaincy, with an official announcement expected in a couple of months. The leadership role, likely ahead of Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel and, Riyan Parag, aligns with Jadeja’s long-standing ambitions. “Jadeja will be given the reins. The announcement will be made in Jan,” sources told TOI. Joining Jadeja from CSK is Sam Curran. Royals have also completed a trade with Delhi Capitals that sees Nitish Rana move to DC, while Donovan Ferreira returns to the Royals.
