Chennai Super Kings (CSK) may be contemplating a massive trade with Rajasthan Royals (RR) before the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season. CSK is rumored to trade former Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin and all-rounder Shivam Dube to RR for their captain Sanju Samson. The negotiations began after the conclusion of IPL 2025 on June 3, when Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) secured their maiden IPL trophy. After the season, Samson was seen in the US watching a Major League Cricket (MLC) match. This has added more fuel to the transfer rumours. Analyst’s Tweet Sparks Trade Talk Ex-RCB and South Africa expert Prasanna Aghoram made a post on X (Twitter) indicating that CSK had initiated trade talks. He added that the deal would cost an Indian off-spinner and a left-handed middle-order batter in return for a top-order wicketkeeper-batter. It is generally thought that this directly refers to R. Ashwin and Shivam Dube being traded for Samson. Trade talks have begun.An Indian off spinner and a left handed middle order Indian batter for a top order wicket keeper batsmen #IPL2026 — Prasanna (@prasannalara) June 26, 2025 If the trade does occur, Rajasthan would receive players worth ₹21.75 crore, and Samson is worth ₹18 crore. RR might have to pay CSK the remaining ₹3.75 crore. Also Read | Sanju Samson to CSK? Franchise Official Gives Major Update Why the Trade Makes Sense for Both CSK & RR? Sanju Samson struggled in IPL 2025. He was out of five games with injury and could manage just 285 runs from nine games, with a single half-century. RR finished ninth on the table. Even though he is a good captain, he may be seeking a fresh beginning. Conversely, Ashwin picked up just 7 wickets in 9 games, whereas Dube was better in the season, contributing 357 runs in 14 matches with an average strike rate of 132.22. CSK may view Samson as a potential captain, given that Ruturaj Gaikwad was not firing on all cylinders in the captaincy role. On the contrary, both Ashwin and Dube have previously played for Rajasthan Royals, and as the franchise lacked finishing touch and a quality spin bowling option in last season, adding Dube and Ashwin to their circuit would be an ideal choice. This exchange can provide both teams with a new dynamic for the 2026 IPL.