Overview
- CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan says MS Dhoni has told the franchise he will be available for IPL 2026, offering stability after last season’s bottom-place finish.
- Sanju Samson has requested a release from Rajasthan Royals, with owner Manoj Badale personally reaching out to multiple teams to explore a trade.
- CSK have re-entered discussions for Samson, with reports that RR asked for Ravindra Jadeja or Ruturaj Gaikwad or Shivam Dube, and CSK has rejected including Dube.
- A reported RR-DC swap seeking Tristan Stubbs plus an uncapped player is viewed as unlikely because Delhi Capitals are reluctant to release Stubbs.
- Cricbuzz reporting cited by Hindustan Times says CSK sounded out a top player about moving to RR, with clarity expected in coming days and an auction fallback if a trade fails.