Sanju Samson And...? 5 Blockbuster Trade Moves For IPL 2026 That Can Surprise Fans

Probuddha Bhattacharjee

Sanju Samson and MS Dhoni, Ishan Kishan [Source: @ReplySenseiSanju Samson and MS Dhoni, Ishan Kishan [Source: @ReplySensei

,@Shebas_10/x.com]

In the IPL ecosystem, a trade allows franchises to exchange players between teams during designated windows without going through the auction process. Teams can swap players for other players, cash, or a combination of both. However, player consent and IPL Governing Council approval are mandatory for any trade to materialize.

5. Liam Livingstone (RCB ➡️ MI or LSG) 

RCB's title triumph couldn't mask  Liam Livingstone's individual failure—112 runs in 10 matches despite ₹8.75 Cr investment. 

Liam Livingstone [Source: @RCBTweets/x.com]Liam Livingstone [Source: @RCBTweets/x.com]

Financial Reality: His replacement by Romario Shepherd in crucial matches proves his expendability. Mumbai Indians and Lucknow Super Giants eye him as middle-order solutions, banking on his previous success.

4. Ishan Kishan (SRH ➡️ MI)

Despite his breakthrough century, Ishan Kishan's ₹11.25 Cr price tag doesn't justify overall returns. While he scored 354 runs in 14 matches, he scored 200 of them in just two matches. So there was a lack of consistency in his performance for SRH.

Strategic Analysis: Mumbai Indians represents the perfect reunion scenario. Historical data shows Kishan's MI numbers: 2020 season with 516 runs at SR 145.76, contributing to their title win. His SRH struggles stem from role confusion—playing number 3 instead of his preferred opening position.

3. Glenn Maxwell (PBKS ➡️ CSK, GT)

After consecutive underwhelming seasons, Glenn Maxwell's ₹4.20 Cr investment needs strategic repositioning. 

Glenn Maxwell [Source: @yogesh123122/x.com]Glenn Maxwell [Source: @yogesh123122/x.com]

Analytical Insight: His Chepauk record (176 runs in 4 innings, SR 147.89) makes Chennai Super Kings the logical destination. CSK's death-over strike rate of 155.80 was the league-worst in IPL 2025, exactly Maxwell's traditional strength. 

A proposed Gujarat Titans trade (Glenn Phillips for Maxwell) represents a like-for-like swap addressing both teams' specific needs.

2. Venkatesh Iyer (KKR ➡️ SRH)

KKR's biggest auction mistake needs correction. Venkatesh Iyer's dismal 142 runs in 11 matches at an average of 20.28 makes him untradeable at current salary. 

Venkatesh Iyer for KKR [Source: @Rokte_Amarr_KKR/x.com]Venkatesh Iyer for KKR [Source: @Rokte_Amarr_KKR/x.com]

Deep Dive: His price tag represents 20% of team's total budget—unsustainable for such returns. Sunrisers Hyderabad emerges as the primary suitor, seeking Ishan Kishan's replacement. The irony: Iyer has excellent No. 3 numbers (562 runs, average 43.23) from previous seasons, suggesting role mismatch rather than ability decline.

1. Sanju Samson (RR ➡️ CSK)

The most talked-about move involves RR's captain potentially joining Chennai Super Kings in exchange for Ravichandran Ashwin and Shivam Dube. 

Strategic Analysis: CSK desperately needs Dhoni's successor—both as wicket-keeper and captain. Sanju Samson (₹18 cr) offers proven leadership, having led RR to the 2022 final. The trade makes financial sense: RR receives ₹21.75 Cr worth of talent while gaining Ashwin's spin expertise and Dube's middle-order power. This addresses CSK's leadership transition and RR's spin bowling deficiencies.