Rumors are swirling that Sanju Samson might be on his way to Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in what could become one of the biggest trade deals in IPL history. If true, this blockbuster move could rival the sensational trade of Hardik Pandya back to Mumbai Indians—a move that sent shockwaves across the league.
While nothing is official yet, this potential transfer has already reignited discussions about the most iconic trades in IPL history. Let’s take a look at the biggest IPL trade deals over the years and how they impacted the league.
The Most Influential IPL Trades of All Time
Zaheer Khan (RCB ➝ MI, 2009)
Not many remember Zaheer Khan’s move to Mumbai Indians in 2009, but his influence was felt right away. The left-arm pacer played 30 matches for MI, grabbing 29 wickets at an economy rate of 7.4. A solid performer during a foundational phase for the franchise.
Dinesh Karthik (KXIP ➝ MI, 2012)
Rumored price: $2.35 million
This move was a game-changer. Dinesh Karthik played a crucial role in Mumbai’s first IPL title win in 2013, scoring 510 runs in the season. His consistency with the bat laid the foundation for MI’s rise as a dominant team.
Parthiv Patel (RCB ➝ MI, 2015)
Parthiv was instrumental at the top of the order, scoring over 900 runs for Mumbai between 2015 and 2017. During his time with the franchise, MI lifted the trophy twice (2015, 2017).
Quinton de Kock (RCB ➝ MI, 2019)
Trade value: INR 2.8 crore
One of the most effective trades ever. De Kock scored 500+ runs in consecutive seasons and formed a lethal opening pair with Rohit Sharma. He was crucial to MI’s back-to-back title wins in 2019 and 2020.
Trent Boult (DC ➝ MI, 2020)
Price: INR 3.2 crore
Delhi Capitals let go of Boult, and Mumbai reaped the rewards. He scalped 25 wickets in 2020, pairing up with Bumrah to win MI their fifth IPL title.
Ravichandran Ashwin (PBKS ➝ DC, 2020)
Price: INR 7.6 crore
Ashwin played two seasons for DC and was vital to their run to the IPL 2020 final, picking up 13 wickets that year. The move revived his white-ball career.
More Recent Big-Money Trades That Made Headlines
Robin Uthappa (RR ➝ CSK, 2021)
CSK raised eyebrows by trading for Uthappa in an all-cash deal. The veteran silenced critics with a clutch performance in the playoffs, scoring 115 runs in just four games and helping CSK clinch the 2021 title.
Harshal Patel (DC ➝ RCB, 2021)
This was a turning point in Harshal’s career. He picked up 32 wickets in his debut season for RCB, earning the Purple Cap and becoming a vital cog in their bowling unit.
Shardul Thakur (DC ➝ KKR, 2022)
Trade price: INR 10.75 crore
Despite a big price tag, Shardul couldn’t deliver consistently. However, his 70-run knock against RCB was a reminder of his potential.
Lockie Ferguson (GT ➝ KKR, 2022)
Price: INR 10 crore
A forgettable trade for KKR. Ferguson played only three matches in 2023 and managed just one wicket with an average of 96. Released shortly after.
Hardik Pandya (GT ➝ MI, 2023)
Price: INR 15 crore
This was arguably the most stunning IPL trade of all time. After leading Gujarat Titans to the IPL title in 2022 and another final in 2023, Pandya’s return to MI made headlines across the cricketing world. Despite the hype, his captaincy at MI hasn’t yet translated into success.
Cameron Green (MI ➝ RCB, 2023)
Price: INR 17.5 crore
One of the most expensive IPL trades ever. Green impressed at RCB, scoring 255 runs and picking 10 wickets in the 2024 season before being sidelined by injury. A promising but short-lived stint.
Avesh Khan (LSG ➝ RR, 2024)
Price: INR 10 crore
Avesh was a standout performer for Rajasthan Royals in 2024, with 19 wickets in the tournament. He was especially effective in the middle overs and death, making the trade worthwhile despite RR falling short in Qualifier 2.
If Sanju Samson to CSK Happens…
If Sanju Samson joins CSK, this could be a franchise-defining move. Samson, the face of Rajasthan Royals for several seasons, is in peak form. His leadership, calm approach, and explosive batting could perfectly fit CSK’s culture post-Dhoni. If it goes through, it will almost certainly go down as one of the biggest trades in IPL history, right up there with Hardik and Green’s high-profile transfers.
Stay tuned. The IPL may be in its off-season, but the action never really stops.
